Many industries have embraced the use of artificial intelligence to streamline processes and increase efficiency. However, one industry that still relies heavily on the human touch is Kona coffee farming.
What sets Kona coffee farming apart?
Kona coffee is a highly sought-after and premium coffee variety grown exclusively in the Kona district of Hawaii. The unique climate and soil conditions in this region contribute to the exceptional quality of Kona coffee beans. Unlike other ag industries that have turned to AI for tasks like harvesting and processing, Kona coffee farming continues to rely on the expertise and experience of human farmers.
How do human farmers contribute to the process?
From planting and nurturing the coffee trees to hand-picking the ripe coffee cherries, farmers play a crucial role in every step of the Kona coffee farming process. Their knowledge of the land, weather patterns, and optimal harvesting times is invaluable in ensuring the quality and flavor of the final product.
Why is the human touch still essential?
While AI technology has its benefits in terms of efficiency and precision, the art of coffee farming requires a level of care and attention that only human hands can provide. The ability to assess the health of the coffee trees, make real-time decisions based on environmental factors, and ensure that each coffee cherry is harvested at the perfect moment are all skills that human farmers excel at.
Despite the advancements in technology, Kona coffee farming remains a labor-intensive and hands-on process that values tradition and craftsmanship. The dedication of human farmers to their craft is what sets Kona coffee apart and continues to make it one of the most sought-after coffee varieties in the world.
Farmers and the Growing Season
Coffee trees require a lot of attention and care throughout their lifecycle. Farmers must regularly monitor their orchards. They rely on their knowledge and senses to determine optimal times for pruning & fertilizing. They watch for signs of pests & diseases. They track weather patterns and notice how seasonal fluctuations impact the growing season and harvest timing. Growing Kona coffee is not a standardized process. It varies year to year, farm to farm based on a myriad of factors including elevation, sunlight, rainfall, and soil quality. Farmers must use their experience and human instincts to guide their decision-making. The health of their trees and the success of their harvests depend upon it.
Farmer Steve Wynn manages every aspect of coffee production at Kona Earth
Handcrafting the Process
Unlike large industrial farms, most Kona coffee farms are smaller, family-owned ventures.
During Kona coffee harvest season, ripe, red cherries are picked by hand. Though labor and cost intensive, this hand-picking process ensures that only the ripest fruit is harvested, leaving the rest on the tree for subsequent rounds of picking throughout the season.
There is no AI automation in Kona coffee production. Granted, farmers use machinery to automate some farm management tasks, such as mowing and fertilizing. Machines such as pulpers and dryers are also used to process the coffee. The closest thing to AI in Kona coffee production is the use of optical sorters that use near-infrared (NIR) technology and cameras to determine bean size and quality. Still, a farmer is the ultimate driver in employing these tools and must continue to oversee every step in the process. A human still loads the hopper of the pulper and rakes the seeds drying on the deck. The farmer still monitors moisture content and bags the coffee up for storage. Like any artisanal product, Kona coffee is made by human hands.
Human hands touch every aspect of Kona coffee farming
Tending to Tradition
Kona coffee farming has a long history, dating back to the early 19th century when missionaries introduced coffee trees to the islands. Today, Kona coffee farming is still done in much the same way it was back then, with small-scale farmers manually tending to their coffee trees. The reason behind this is simple: AI cannot replace the human touch when it comes to coffee farming.
By embracing the human touch, Kona coffee farmers can produce a truly one-of-a-kind specialty coffee bean, with flavors and aromas that represent the unique terroir of the region and that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.
Furthermore, the use of AI in coffee farming goes against the essence of specialty coffee. Specialty coffee is all about highlighting the unique flavors and characteristics of the bean, which are a direct reflection of the terroir and the farming practices used. By relying on AI, farmers would be removing the very thing that makes Kona coffee special – the human touch.
Kona coffee farmers use their senses to inform every farming decision
It All Comes Down to Common Sense(s)
While AI systems are undeniably sophisticated, they lack crucial elements essential for successful Kona coffee farming. The secret to a thriving coffee growing season lies in the senses that humans often take for granted: touch, sight, smell, and, ultimately, taste.
In contrast, AI's "senses" are described in this way by Enterprise CIO, "This concept of a portfolio of technologies working together can be illustrated further by what I refer to as the five senses of AI. They are: the abilities to communicate, monitor, (store and access) knowledge, analyze and act."
Despite their inherent flaws, humans remain indispensable when it comes to the exquisite and intricate art and science of Kona coffee farming.
Embracing the Human Touch
In a world where technology is rapidly transforming every aspect of our lives, there are still some things that are best left to the human touch. Kona coffee farming is one of them. The complex nature of coffee farming requires a level of attention to detail and expertise that only humans can provide. By embracing this tradition and continuing to farm Kona coffee the way it has been done for centuries, we can ensure that the world-renowned Hawaiian Kona coffee remains a true specialty coffee that reflects the unique characteristics of both the land - and the farmer that grows it.