The Farming module is a comprehensive program that includes all aspects of coffee farming such as understanding and management of different cycles, crop management, long term productivity, quality, and coffee sciences including genetic improvement, shade, water and soil management, nutrition, pest and disease integrated management. Students in this course will be expected to work in teams to develop various farming calendars and perform various assessments.
SCI farming LEVEL 1
Day 1: Coffee field design; plant density; shade and soil management
Day 2: Coffee pruning, stumping and renovation system.
Day 3: Coffee plant physiology, fertilization principles and good practices, some pest and disease management practices
- The Level 1 requires no previous experience.
SCI FARMING LEVEL 2
Day 1: History and paradigms of coffee crop management, coffee field design and establishment; plant density and spacial arrangement; shade, water and soil management, coffee plant physiology, rooting and vascular system; photosynthesis and nutrition
Day 2: Coffee phenological cycle; pruning, stumping and renovation systems, pest and disease integrated management, fertilization principles and good practices, cupping coffees based on farming differences
Day 3: Business of farming, profitability, key value-chain areas, cupping coffees based on farming differences
- The Level 2 is suitable if you are already part of the industry, working in the field covered by the module, and have a firm knowledge of the basic skills.
- Pre-requisite: Farming Level 1 (recommended only)
SCi farming level 3
SCI Farming Level 3 offers 2 tracks to help you hone your skills and learn more of the science behind your job.
Track 1 - Scientific Theory & Skills:
Day 1: Overview of coffee crop management, coffee field design and establishment; plant density and spacial arrangement; shade, water and soil management
Day 2: Coffee phenological cycle; pruning, stumping and renovation systems, pest and disease integrated management. Advanced cupping (includes nutrition deficiencies, pest and disease and weather related defects and advanced varietals’ flavor profiling)
Day 3: Coffee plant physiology, rooting and vascular system; photosynthesis and nutrition; and fertilization principles and good practices. Advanced cupping (includes nutrition deficiencies, pest and disease and weather related defects and advanced varietals’ flavor profiling). Conclusions: baseline indicators, GAPs adoption and improvement plans.
Track 2 - Business:
Involves an in-depth look at how to apply farming applications in making successful business decisions.
- Extensive relevant experience is recommended before attempting this level.
- Pre-requisite: SCI Farming Level 2 (recommended only)