Nature-Based Solutions Contribute to Improve the Adaptive Capacity of Coffee Farmers: Evidence from Mexico

Patricia Ruiz-García, Alejandro Ismael Monterroso-Rivas and Ana Cecilia Conde-Álvarez ()
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Patricia Ruiz-García: Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Investigación Científica s/n, C.U., Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
Alejandro Ismael Monterroso-Rivas: Departamento de Suelos, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Km. 38.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, Estado de México, Mexico
Ana Cecilia Conde-Álvarez: Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Investigación Científica s/n, C.U., Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: Climate change is affecting farmers’ livelihoods and their ability to adapt. Therefore, solutions for adaptation and resilience are required. The objective of the work was to assess how nature-based solutions contribute to improving the adaptive capacity of farmers, taking coffee production in Mexico as a case study. It followed the theoretical approach of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, which involves identifying the capacities, resources, and activities that a population possesses, considering the following six dimensions: natural, social, human, economic, physical, and political. A rapid systematic review was carried out to identify measurement indicators for each dimension. A semi-structured survey was constructed to collect information on the indicators in the field. The surveys were administered to a sample of 60 randomly selected farmers who utilized various management types incorporating nature-based solutions, including diversified polyculture, simple polyculture, and simplified shade. In addition, farmers who do not use nature-based solutions and who grow coffee in full sun were considered. An index of adaptive capacity was then calculated for each coffee agroecosystem assessed, and finally, actions were proposed to strengthen the livelihood dimensions and increase the adaptive capacity of farmers. It was found that farmers using the management types diverse polyculture and simple polyculture had an average value of the adaptive capacity index classified as high (15.06 and 11.61, respectively). Farmers using the simplified shade management type had an average index value classified as medium (8.59). Whereas, farmers producing coffee in full sun were classified with low adaptive capacity in the average index value (−0.49). The results obtained in this research can contribute to informed government decision making (local, state, or federal) in generating policies to improve or design nature-based solutions in the agricultural sector, thereby increasing the adaptive capacity of producers in the face of climate variability.

Keywords: agricultural producer; coffee agroecosystems; sustainable livelihoods; climate change; adaptive capacity index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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