In Puerto Rico , traditional coffee processing is the cause of two major resources problems:  poor quality coffee and polluted water. Coffee plantation is grown on hillsides in the upper watershed, which is characterized by steep topography and high precipitation. These characteristics make difficult the establishment and construction of waste disposal systems. The operation of a conventional method is very expensive and not environmentally friendly. Most structures are big having an inefficient energy system and high water consumption. Therefore, coffee berry is processing upon a high environmental cost because post harvest processing is done using water intensive technology where a proper disposal of a high volume of wastewater is difficult to manage. This waste affects water quality of the upper watershed causing eutrophication with subsequent loss of plant and fish life, acidic water and an increased population of insects. The water for human consumption is dramatically reduced not only for the extraction of water for processing, but for water high contamination level.

 The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA), the University of Puerto Rico , Cooperative Extension Service (UPR-CES), and the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (PREQB) have a Contribution Agreement to redesign and renew conventional coffee processing plants with pollution reducing technology. A Contribution Agreement between USDA-NRCS and UPR CES facilitates technical services for the design and the installation of Ecological Coffee Processing Plants. PRDA and UPR-CES provides planning assistance. The NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture Infrastructure Program combine funds for the establishment of Crop By-Product Management Systems. Core practices of this system are Reduced Water and Energy System, Crop By-Product Transfer, Waste Storage Facility, Infiltration Ditches, and Nutrient Management. The Environmental Quality Board facilitates environmental compliance with local regulations.

Department of Agriculture Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board.

This technology, validated at Limany Agricultural Experiment Station of the UPR in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico , demonstrates that quality coffee can be improved and contamination can be reduced substantially at relative low cost for the farmers.   

New technological advance is supported by the development of a Reduced Water and Energy System, and Crop By-Product Transfer standards. Project includes:

•         Establish 50 Ecological Processing Plant

•         Improve water quality and water quantity

•         Reduce size and costs of processing plant structure

•         Simplify the operation and establishment of a coffee by product disposal system

•         Improve quality of coffee bean