Understanding coffee farmers’ poverty, food insecurity and adaptive responses to climate stress. Evidence from the dry corridor of western Honduras

Abstract

Abstract Central America faces significant vulnerability to climatic variations. In recent years, national and international organizations have been working on climate-smart agricultural (CSA) to support coffee farmers in adapting to climate change. However, limited scientific evidence exists regarding the efficacy of these strategies in mitigating vulnerability. This study aims to assess the suitability of CSA practices promoted by Honduras' coffee sector in addressing the needs and vulnerability of coffee-farming households. Here, we integrated quantitative and qualitative methods, to assess how coffee farmers' livelihoods, poverty levels, and food insecurity status relate to their dependence on coffee income, prevailing stressors, and responses from farmers and value chain stakeholders. Data from a survey of 348 coffee farmers in western Honduras, along with key stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions, inform our analyses. Results indicate that poverty levels rise with increased reliance on coffee income, while diversified income sources correlate with greater food security among households. Nevertheless, despite efforts to enhance coffee tree productivity and soil resilience, most CSA practices neglect the food insecurity concerns of coffee farmers. Interviews and discussions reveal uncertainty among farmers regarding maintaining food security under extreme hazards. Consequently, coffee households remain vulnerable to climate and non-climate hazards, leading to crop losses, income instability, and food insecurity. Our findings underscore the need for a fundamental shift in the scope of coffee CSA practices towards a more holistic approach that addresses food security and income.