Farm 3- Mateguadua
Assessment and Recommendations
May 2026
Background
Mateguadua is a smallholder farm with Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certifications and is third site in the Falcon On-Farm project.
The farm owner of is a prominent leader in the local coffee community and has demonstrated a progressive management approach, including on-site composting, biological pest control, and intercropping with plátano.
They are interested in farming more in harmony with the environment, while also being compensated for the work that they do.
General information
| Location | Caldas, Colombia |
| Elevation | 1891 m asl |
| Total farm area | 2.2 ha |
| Project area | 1.34 ha |
| Varietal | Castillo and Cenicafe 1 |
Assessment
Various pieces of information were collected to assess the current state of the farm and provide data on which to base next steps and recommendations for the transiting the farm to regenerative agriculture practices.
Site visits and interviews with the producers were conducted.
Soil samples were collected and analyzed for both chemical and biological parameters.
Baseline surveys were conducted to gather information on farm management techniques such as fertilizer and pesticide use, pruning and renovation methods and incidence of pest and diseases.
Existing strengths of the farm
The farm has significant foundations on which to build. These existing practices position the farm well for a transition to the next phase of regenerative agriculture.
Exceptional Biodiversity
599 microbial species detected in the soil. Very high biodiversity with excellent microbial solubilization of phosphorus. Documented diversity of wildlife such as bird species and agoutis.
Excellent Organic Matter
Organic matter at 11.17%—exceptional, among the highest in the project. CIC of 18.10 meq/100g: excellent nutrient retention capacity.
Advanced Mechanical Control
Herbicide use virtually eliminated (only minimal focal application in transition). Mechanical handling with a scythe maintains the biological integrity of the soil.
Biocontrol already in use
Beauveria bassiana applied for broca beetle control at specific intervals. Zero chemical insecticides—the farm has not established chemical pest dependency cycles.
Exceptional Phosphorus Reserves
370 kg/ha of total phosphorus (almost double the optimum) with very high microbial solubilization confirmed by the BeCrop biological analysis. Unnecessary phosphoric fertilization.
Committed Producer
Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certifications. Previous soil analysis (2024). Strong commitment of the producer to the regenerative transition. Composting and organic preparations already in practice.
Areas for improvement
Although the farm has a good foundation, there are three primary constraints that limit the biological potential of the farm and can be addressed through regenerative practices.
Acidic Soil and Calcium Deficiency
pH 4.8 with 49% exchangeable hydrogen—the most acidic soil of the farms in the project. Aluminum at 1,224 ppm severely suppresses root function. Calcium occupies only 33% of exchange sites (target: 60–70%). All cationic bases deficient: Ca, Mg, and K.
Calcium deficit of 2,839 kg/ha
No mycorrhizal fungi detected
BeCrop detected only ectomycorrhizae—zero AMF. At pH 4.8 with aluminum at 1,224 ppm, the establishment of AMF is deeply compromised. Inoculation should follow, not precede, the calcium amendment. AMF colonization increases phosphorus uptake 3–5 times and confers resistance to Fusarium.
0 AMF detected
Broca beetle and Fusarium Risk
Broca beetle (H. hampei) distributed throughout the farm with seasonal peaks. Fusarium oxysporum detected at very high risk by BeCrop—thrives in acidic soils with low calcium. Current management lacks integrated biocontrol infrastructure for sustained regulation of broca beetle.
Fusarium: VERY HIGH
Recommendations and Next Steps
Based on the findings from the assessment, the following phased recommendations have been outlined that will improve soil health and nutrition, provide natural pest management and create a healthy, productive ecosystem for the coffee to thrive. The recommendations have been discussed with the farm owners and implementation is set to start this summer.
Phase 1 (first 6 months)
• Amend calcium
Apply boron, zinc, silicon, molybdenum and manganese correction
• Remove DAP and Rafos immediately
• Inoculate soils with HMA from verified sources after pH>5.2
• Apply silicon foliar (anti-broca defense)
Phase 2 (6-18 months)
• Transition to calcium nitrate; remove DAP completely
• Establish cover crops and hedgerows
• Plant Inga and Erythrina shade trees
• Establish habitat strips (8–10 species per strip)
• Conduct foliar analysis and soil chemistry after 1 year
Phase 3 (18-36 months)
• Reduce synthetic nitrogen by 50% (guided by monitoring)
• Assess borer parasitism rates (>20% target)
• Initiate pruning of Inga and Erythrina; Target 35–40% shade
• Plant Tabebuia rosea near habitat corridors
Evaluate cup quality—SCA target 86–87
• Repeat BeCrop biological analysis
Summary
La Mateguadua’s soil hosts exceptional organic matter reserves (11.17%), good nutrient-holding capacity (CEC 18.10), very high phosphorus reserves, and a moderately diverse microbial community (599 species, very high biodiversity)—the biological foundation for a productive, low-input system (Principle 1 of Regenerative Coffee). Severe soil acidity (pH 4.8), extreme aluminum toxicity (1,224 ppm), and 49% exchangeable hydrogen suppress this biological capacity and weaken plant defenses against broca and Fusarium.
The recommended approach corrects soil chemistry first as the prerequisite that unlocks everything else, then builds nitrogen-fixing plant infrastructure (ground covers and shade trees) that will replace acidifying synthetic fertilizers—breaking the acidification cycle that perpetuates the current constraints (Principle 3). Functional habitat strips designed for parasitoid wasp conservation and pollinator enhancement will shift broca management from reactive Beauveria applications to integrated ecological regulation (Principle 4).
Multi-strata shade design optimizes photosynthetic capacity and creates the shaded, humid microclimate that simultaneously reduces broca dispersal activity and favors the parasitoid and beneficial insect populations that regulate it (Principles 2, 4).
Within three to five years, the farm can develop a predominantly biologically driven fertility and pest management system, substantially reduce external input costs, and improve cup quality from SCA 85 toward higher scores—with the pace of transition determined by soil chemistry response, plant performance, parasitism rates, and quality outcomes at each stage.
Assessment, Recommendations and Summary text and diagrams courtesy of Sam Knowlton, Soil Symbiotics