El Salvador has taken a significant step towards responsible coffee plantation management. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and the Salvadoran Coffee Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement joint actions aimed at promoting environmental incentives that will enhance cultivation practices.

The country’s coffee forests not only produce one of the most valued commodities in international markets but also play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, regulating water, and protecting the soil. Ensuring their conservation is essential to maintaining the sector’s productivity and securing its place in an increasingly sustainability-conscious world.

This agreement is part of the National Program for Environmental Incentives and Disincentives. Through the Protocol for the Conservation and Enhancement of Coffee Plantations’ Ecosystem Services, coffee farms can validate their sustainable management and comply with regulations such as the European Union’s Anti-Deforestation Regulation. This opens new opportunities for Salvadoran coffee to retain its access to global markets.

“Currently, 600 hectares of coffee plantations in Ahuachapán, Morazán, Usulután, and San Miguel have benefited from incentives for tree diversification, soil and water conservation, the use of agroecological inputs, and specialized technical assistance,” explained MARN.

These measures not only ensure ecosystem health but also enhance coffee quality and productivity, securing its long-term viability.

“The path to sustainable coffee farming is underway, with strategies that balance economy and conservation. Protecting the coffee forests is not just an environmental decision but a guarantee of competitiveness for producers and quality for consumers,” the ministry added.