Combining farm typology and yield gap analysis to identify major variables limiting yields in the highland coffee systems of Llano Bonito, Costa Rica
Résumé
Yield variability in space and time is a well-known phenomenon in the highland coffee production systems of
Costa Rica. Our objective was to systematically unravel variations and gaps in yields due to the combined effects
of farm resources and major production variables in a region of premium quality highland coffee. We surveyed
40 coffee producing farms varying in size from small to large in Llano Bonito, Costa Rica to examine their
diversity based on their resources. We further conducted an agronomic diagnosis and yield estimates in 97
individual measuring plots in 63 coffee fields over two cropping years (2013–2014 and 2014–2015). We
categorized farm diversity through a resource endowment typology built by combining direct observation with
the use of multivariate analysis and clustering techniques. This resulted in four farm types: large farms
depending on external labour (Type 1, 25%), large farms with livestock (Type 2, 20%), small farms dedicated to
coffee (Type 3, 38%), and small farms with an off-farm income (Type 4, 17%). We then analysed coffee yield
variability and yield gaps through a boundary line approach. The mean yields for two cropping years fluctuated
between 2.5 ± 0.18 and 1.6 ± 0.12 t ha−1 on farm types 1 and 2 respectively. Though the yields did not differ
strongly across farm types, there was a weak tendency (p =0.10) towards yield variability between study years.
The combined use of farm typology and yield gap analysis revealed multiple farm‐specific production
variables that were significantly related to gaps in attainable yields. For any intervention to improve and
stabilize yields in the future, the heterogeneity of farm orientation, management practices, production
geographical context and soil properties must be given proper attention and integrated into crop, shade tree
and soil management practices.