What's Happening?
The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) is facing significant challenges in preserving its vital coffee and cacao collections, which are crucial for global agricultural diversity.
These collections, which include unique genetic varieties, are under threat due to declining funding and environmental pressures. In response, the Crop Trust, in collaboration with the International Plant Treaty, has provided emergency funding through its Emergency Reserve for Genebanks. This funding is part of the Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development (BOLD) project, supported by the Government of Norway. The funding has enabled CATIE to relocate its coffee collection to a more suitable site and stabilize its cacao collection, which faced a funding crisis in 2025. The relocation and stabilization efforts are critical to maintaining the genetic diversity necessary for breeding programs that can adapt to climate change and disease pressures.
Why It's Important?
The preservation of coffee and cacao genetic diversity is crucial for the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide who depend on these crops. Coffee supports approximately 125 million people, while cacao supports 40-50 million. The genetic diversity held by CATIE is essential for developing new varieties that can withstand pests, diseases, and climate change. Without this diversity, the global coffee and chocolate industries could face significant challenges, impacting economies and food security. The emergency funding from the Crop Trust and its partners is a temporary solution, highlighting the need for long-term investment to ensure the sustainability of these critical genetic resources.
What's Next?
While the emergency funding has provided a temporary reprieve, CATIE requires stable, long-term investment to fully secure its coffee and cacao collections. The Crop Trust's Endowment Fund is one potential solution, offering a more sustainable approach to conservation beyond crisis management. Continued international collaboration and investment are necessary to protect these irreplaceable genetic resources for future generations. The success of these efforts will depend on mobilizing additional financial support and maintaining global awareness of the importance of agricultural biodiversity.
