Kafe Lakay 1.0

 To cultivate coffee in Jacmel, Haiti, you don't need highly industrialized materials, as most of the farming is done by small-scale farmers using traditional, organic methods. The primary materials and practices you would need are focused on natural cultivation and processing.

Here are the key materials and resources you would need:

1. Coffee Seedlings or Seeds

The very first step is to acquire coffee plants. Most farmers in the region use the high-quality Arabica Typica variety. You would start by either planting seeds in a nursery or acquiring young seedlings to transplant.

2. Soil and Fertilizer

• Soil: Coffee plants in the Jacmel region thrive in the deep, well-drained soil of the high-altitude mountains. The soil is naturally rich, and farmers often supplement it.

• Organic Fertilizer: Chemical fertilizers are rarely used or affordable. Instead, farmers rely on natural, organic compost made from materials like coffee pulp (the fruit skins of the coffee cherry), animal manure, and other organic matter to enrich the soil.

3. Shade Trees and Companion Plants

This is a critical component of Haitian coffee farming. The coffee plants are grown in an "agroforestry" system, known locally as a "jaden lakou" (Creole garden). You would need to cultivate a variety of trees and plants alongside the coffee, which serve multiple purposes:

• Shade: Trees like bananas, mangoes, and other local species provide the crucial shade that coffee plants, particularly the Arabica variety, need to grow properly.

• Soil Health: The roots of these trees help prevent soil erosion on the steep mountain slopes, and their fallen leaves add organic matter to the soil.

• Diversification: This system allows the farmer to harvest other crops for food and income.

4. Water Resources

While the mountainous region receives a fair amount of rainfall, a consistent water source is vital, especially for young seedlings. A reliable water source for irrigation, even if just a stream or collected rainwater, is essential for the health of the plants.

5. Manual Tools for Harvesting and Processing

Coffee is almost always harvested by hand in Haiti. You would need basic tools for processing the coffee cherries.

• Baskets or Sacks: To collect the coffee cherries.

• Mortar and Pestle: Many small-scale farmers use this traditional method to remove the pulp from the coffee bean.

• Drying Area: A clean, flat surface like a concrete patio or raised drying beds to spread the coffee cherries out in the sun to dry.

The entire process, from planting to harvest, is a labor-intensive but largely organic and sustainable practice.