Suntory and Conservation International test regenerative coffee in Colombia

Suntory Holdings has announced a strategic partnership with the international environmental NGO Conservation International to initiate a regenerative agriculture pilot project in the Huila Department of Colombia. It is scheduled to commence in 2026 for a two-year span, the projectaims to establish a sustainable procurement model for coffee beans while significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the circular utilisation of agricultural residues.

Major coffee-producing regions face critical challenges as the climate crisis continues to threaten the world. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns threaten harvest stability and productivity. In the Huila district, a premier coffee origin, these environmental pressures are compounded by deforestation caused by farmland expansion and the urgent need for better water resource management. Furthermore, the region struggles with social issues, including an aging farming population and a shortage of successors to maintain the land.

To address these interconnected challenges, Suntory and Conservation International will implement a pilot programme involving 180 local farmers. The core of this project is the transition to regenerative agriculture, a farming approach that focuses on restoring soil health and biodiversity. A key circular strategy within this pilot is the conversion of coffee production residues into nutrient-rich organic fertiliser, including the pulp and husks that are often discarded. By returning these biological materials to the soil, the project aims to reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

The collaboration adopts a “Landscape Approach,” a holistic methodology that gained significant attention at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP16). Rather than focusing on isolated farms, this approach views the entire region or watershed as an integrated system. It seeks to solve environmental issues, such as biodiversity loss and climate change, alongside social challenges, including sustainable production and consumption.

Through this partnership, the two organisations intend to build a platform that attracts further supporters, aiming to resolve regional issues comprehensively. The pilot will serve as a testing ground to verify the effectiveness of residue-based fertilisers on yield and carbon reduction, paving the way for a more resilient and circular coffee supply chain.