Worst outbreak of leaf rust disease since the 1970s

The fungus “la roja” for example causes the leaves of the coffee trees to drop, which in turn means the coffee fruit doesn’t mature and the harvest is lost. It’s estimated that more than half the coffee growing region of Central America has been affected. Leaf rust isn’t only caused by climate change, but warmer weather conditions are ideal for spreading the disease, and FAIRTRADE farmers are suffering along with the rest. “It’s raining too much here”, says Magda Reza, a member of the Sonomoro coffee cooperative. “The climate is changing. Coffee yields are lower than they used to be.” But Magda, along with other FAIRTRADE farmers around the world, is fighting back. “The best way to adapt is to diversify”, she says. “I’m also growing bananas, cassava and cocoa. That way I can spread the risk and be more prepared.”
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