Coffee cultivation is under pressure. POMA studies how coffee can be grown under changing conditions through controlled trials in Denmark and at partner farms around the world, producing practical knowledge that helps secure the future of coffee cultivation.
The industry is changing
Coffee farming is changing faster than most agricultural knowledge can keep up with. New climate-resilient varieties are entering production, but breeding a better plant is only solving half the problem. Without the right cultivation practices to match, even the most promising varieties will underperform.
POMA Coffee Research was built to close that gap. We run controlled experiments in our research greenhouse on Fyn, Denmark, and at partner farms across the world — testing cultivation systems, nutrition protocols, shading methods, processing approaches, and crop management techniques. What we find, we document. What we prove, we implement. The results are published in through journals and neswletters, and applied directly through our partner farm programme.
Active Trials
34
Partner Farms
12
Countries
11
Publications
14
Research Areas
Greenhouse Research
Our climate-controlled greenhouse on Funen, Denmark is where new ideas are tested under controlled conditions. We grow coffee varieties from around the world, simulate different climate environments, and run structured experiments on cultivation systems, nutrition, shading, and plant physiology. The greenhouse gives us the control to isolate variables and measure outcomes precisely — something that is not possible in open field conditions.
Making Research Accessible
Findings from the greenhouse are documented, tested for repeatability, and published. We write for two audiences: scientific and agricultural professionals who want the full methodology and data, and producers who need practical, implementable guidance. Our material carries both. Research that stays in a laboratory changes nothing — we publish so that the work can be used.
Implementation at Farm Level
The final step is always the field. We work directly with partner farms to implement what the research shows — running trials in real production environments, adapting methodology to local conditions, and measuring results against baseline performance. Partner farms are active research sites, not just sourcing relationships. This is where the greenhouse findings are stress-tested and refined.
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Every trial we run comes back to the same problem: coffee farming is being asked to change, and most producers do not yet have the tools to change with it. Our research focuses on the areas of practical agronomy where the science can make the biggest practical difference.
Induced Shading Systems
Coffee evolved as an understory plant, yet much of modern production takes place under full sun. We study whether sprayable shading systems can improve photosynthesis, reduce plant stress, and increase yield by recreating some of the benefits traditionally provided by shade trees.
Application: Flexible shade management without permanent infrastructure.
Foliar Nutrition
Plant nutrition is often limited by soil conditions, nutrient mobility, and environmental factors. We investigate how foliar feeding can improve nutrient uptake during critical growth stages and support healthier plant development.
Application: More efficient nutrient delivery with lower input requirements. Our trials show foliar nutrition to be 214% more effective than conventional soil fertilisation.
Pruning Systems
Pruning determines how a coffee tree distributes its energy, develops new growth, and carries fruit. We test pruning systems designed to improve productivity, canopy health, and long-term consistency in high-density production environments.
Application: Greater control over fruit load with improved operational efficiency.
Crop Load Management
The number of fruits carried by a tree directly influences seed development and final quality. We study how fruit thinning strategies affect seed density, fruit composition, and overall crop performance throughout the season.
Application: Data-driven fruit load decisions that improve quality and consistency.
Variety & Rootstock Testing
New coffee varieties are entering production faster than the cultivation knowledge to support them. We evaluate how different genetics respond to cultivation practices, environmental stress, and rootstock combinations under controlled conditions.
Application: Practical cultivation recommendations for emerging coffee varieties.
Processing & Post-Harvest
Processing determines how the work done in the field is expressed in the cup. We run controlled processing trials to understand how fermentation, drying, and post-harvest decisions influence quality and sensory outcomes.
Application: Better processing decisions informed by measurable results.