Acron and Coocentral expand farmer training to boost coffee yields in Colombia

Acron and Coocentral Expand Farmer Training to Boost Coffee Yields in Colombia

In an effort to enhance productivity and optimize agricultural practices, Acron, a global fertilizer producer, and Coocentral, Colombia’s largest coffee cooperative, have recently held a series of agricultural training seminars in the Huila Department. These seminars, which took place in the municipalities of Pital, Guadalupe, and Garzón, aimed to improve fertilizer efficiency and soil fertility management among coffee growers in Colombia’s key producing region.

The initiative, which brought together representatives from around 300 farms, focused on practical approaches to modernizing plant nutrition and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. The sessions highlighted the importance of optimizing crop nutrition programs and demonstrated the benefits of using advanced fertilization techniques. This collaborative effort between Acron and Coocentral reflects a long-standing partnership that has been in place for over a decade, with the goal of introducing modern agricultural technologies into Colombia’s coffee sector.

During the seminars, participants were presented with field trial results that showcased the significant yield improvements achieved by using Acron’s NPK fertilizers under the Ferticoolombia line. These trials revealed that coffee yields increased by 5–11% compared to traditional fertilization practices, while maintaining a low share of lower-quality beans. Additionally, the trials demonstrated improved nutrient use efficiency, with a ratio of 5.3 compared to 4.9 under standard fertilization programs. These results underscore the potential for increased productivity and sustainability when adopting modern agricultural practices.

The partnership between Acron and Coocentral is not limited to fertilizer supply; it also emphasizes knowledge transfer to support long-term sustainability in the Colombian coffee industry. Huila, which accounts for about 18% of Colombia’s coffee output, is renowned for producing high-quality beans, and the seminars aimed to ensure that local farmers could continue to meet the high standards expected in the global market.

Coocentral, which represents over 3,000 producers, plays a crucial role in supporting the region’s development by providing access to agronomic services and technology. By collaborating with Acron, the cooperative is able to leverage advanced fertilization techniques and agricultural knowledge to improve the overall performance of coffee farms in the Huila Department.

Acron’s presence in Colombia’s fertilizer market extends beyond coffee, as the company continues to expand its operations across various crops, including sugarcane, avocado, banana, citrus, rice, and oil palm. This diversification strategy highlights the company’s commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural practices across multiple sectors in Colombia.

The success of the recent training seminars in Huila demonstrates the potential for significant yield improvements when farmers adopt modern fertilization techniques and optimize their crop nutrition programs. By combining product supply with knowledge transfer, Acron and Coocentral are working to ensure the long-term sustainability of Colombia’s coffee sector, which remains a vital part of the country’s agricultural economy. As coffee production continues to grow, these collaborative efforts will be essential in maintaining Colombia’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest beans.