El Shaddai Farm: Take Your Coffee Crops to the Next Level with Apiculture!

Rubiela Alvarez, a producer of specialty Arabica Colombian coffee and beekeeper at the farm El Shaddai, situated in the small village of Montañuelas, El Saladito district, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, shares the following insights:

“El Shaddai encompasses a producing farm spanning approximately 15 acres, where coffee cultivation, bee honey production, and associated crops such as fruit trees, sugar cane, and the unique fruit chontaduro are the primary focus. Within this farm, specialty Colombian coffee beans are grown in micro-lots of Red Bourbon, Tipica, and Caturra varieties. These varieties have developed unique characteristics that appeal to discerning palates and make them highly sought after by enthusiasts of 100% Colombian coffee.”

Two years ago, Rubiela made a significant decision to establish a bee apiary, housing the Apis Melifera species. The primary objective of this endeavor is to contribute to the conservation of these endangered species and enhance the quality of coffee crops by introducing products with superior genetic traits resulting from bee pollination.

The presence of an apiary within the farm has proven instrumental in improving the quality of coffee beans. The direct pollination provided by bees also serves as a biological controller, effectively neutralizing fungi and bacteria.

Furthermore, El Shaddai farm has taken the initiative to recognize the vital role of Apis Melifera and has designated the farm as a Center for the Protection and Conservation of Pollinators, with a specific emphasis on bees.

The farm acknowledges the significant impact of climate change on bees, leading to their transformation into swarming species that migrate easily due to food scarcity. Recognizing this challenge, El Shaddai farm is actively constructing a forest with Melifera trees with the sole purpose of ensuring their sustenance. These trees contribute to environmental decontamination by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

In essence, El Shaddai farm’s overarching objective is to emphasize the collaborative partnership between humans and bees, particularly in the context of coffee cultivation.”