COOPEDOTA, CATIE, and CAIA-Alejandría Launch Project One to Transform Coffee Farming in La Zona de Los Santos

• The project will promote sustainable practices with artificial intelligence and science in the coffee sector.

January 29, 2024. COOPEDOTA, the Advanced Center for Applied Research (CAIA) -Alejandría, and CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) launched Project One  on January 25 to promote sustainable practices in coffee and vegetable cultivation in Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés, in Costa Rica. This ambitious project not only aims to transform production systems but also to purify the air, setting a milestone in global sustainability in the coffee sector.

Through the production and use of organic fertilizers, the planting of "Trees of Life," and the reduction of smoke emissions from vehicles and coffee drying ovens, these organizations seek to double their commitment to air, water, land, and life conservation, becoming pioneers on a global scale.

During a visit to the cooperative's processing plant in Dota, the tangible impact of these practices was revealed. The production of the organic fertilizer "FertiDota," using exponential technologies, has shown a 22% increase in the morphological growth index, reducing the time needed to establish coffee plants in the field by 30 days.

Luis Diego Jiménez, the project leader from CATIE, highlighted the innovation behind wastewater treatment, turning it into organic fertilizers using reactors and magnetic fields. This approach not only solves environmental problems but also demonstrates a commitment to the circular economy by giving a new purpose to nutrient-rich resources.

Mariela Chinchilla, an agricultural engineer from COOPEDOTA, adds that this organic fertilizer adapts to the needs of each producer, being more economical and efficient compared to others.

With Project One, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and magnetic energy, the cooperative aims to obtain Carbon Positive certification, paving the way to reduce carbon footprint and harness renewable energies.

Montserrat Hernández, deputy manager of the Dota cooperative, points out that the goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions and counteract the carbon footprint, focusing on harnessing renewable energies.

Purer air

COOPEDOTA, CATIE, and CAIA also implement solutions to clean the air, such as the placement of "Trees of Life." This methodology uses technology and aquatic plants to capture heavy metals and convert CO₂ into oxygen, purifying the air.

The second method, called Clean oil, uses artificial intelligence to transform gasoline or diesel gases from the cooperative's tourist transport into a non-toxic agricultural product, providing an innovative solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Cooperation agreement

CATIE and COOPEDOTA signed a letter of intent within the framework of an existing cooperation agreement, with the aim of expanding this collaboration, detailing specific points regarding the application of exponential technologies in the field of coffee and agriculture, especially vegetables.

Furthermore, this letter of intent, signed by Muhammad Ibrahim, Director General of CATIE, and Cristian Chinchilla, COOPEDOTA's manager, involves a commitment to develop research with greater impact.