Open AccessA New Low-Cost Method of Harvesting Coffee in High-Yielding Plantations
Author(s) -
Jose VicenteChandler,
Servando Silva,
Fernando Abruña
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
the journal of agriculture of the university of puerto rico/the journal of agriculture of the university of puerto rico
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.123
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 2308-1759
pISSN - 0041-994X
DOI - 10.46429/jaupr.v53i4.11141
Subject(s) - netting , acre , subsidy , agricultural engineering , agricultural science , agricultural economics , profit (economics) , agroforestry , business , mathematics , environmental science , economics , engineering , finance , market economy , microeconomics
A new, simple method for harvesting coffee in intensively managed, high-yielding plantations is described. Long-lasting plastic netting is laid between coffee rows. Berries dropping on the netting are collected about every 6 weeks and processed by a simple modification of the current system. Quality of the coffee produced is equivalent to that of Brazilian "Santos". This new method reduces labor requirements for harvesting to less than one-third, and increases yields of harvested coffee by over 50 percent as compared with the current system, by reducing field losses of coffee. Net profit is increased 2 1/2 times to over $500 per acre yearly with wages of $8 daily. Cost of the netting is $400 per acre. Government credit or subsidies are suggested to help defray this initial cost.