The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica (SCACR) have partnered with non-fungible token (NFT) distribution company BIOCENFT to launch NFTs inspired by 12 of CATIE’s coffee varieties.
The funds raised will contribute to the research, conservation, and promotion of CATIE’s International Coffee Collection, considered the fourth largest in the world. The resources will also support the operations and financing of CATIE’s Genetic Improvement Department and SCACR.
“I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to CATIE’s International Coffee Collection and the Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica,” says BIOCENFT CEO Walter Aguilar. “BIOCENFT was created to facilitate fundraising for organizations or projects related to biodiversity protection and conservation.”
The 12 available NFTs are inspired by the Geisha, Wush-Wush, Mibirizi, Java, Rume Sudan, ET-47, SL-28, SL-34, Centroamericano, Milenio, Esperanza, and Casiopea varieties.
According to the Global Strategy for Conservation of Coffee Genetic Resources, CATIE’s International Coffee Collection is one of the four collections worldwide preserving the world’s widest base of coffee’s genetic diversity.
“For us, this is an opportunity for coffee and NFT enthusiasts to contribute,” says SCACR Executive Director Noelia Villalobos. “The association will continue disseminating knowledge and promoting coffee culture nationally and internationally.”
SCACR hopes to use the funds to help increase the international positioning of Costa Rican coffee. SCACR’s objective has been to promote Costa Rican coffees with special characteristics and identify niche markets interested in purchasing and consuming them. In recent years, due to climate change, diseases, and other factors, the association has also focused on research, maintenance, and improvement of coffee varieties.
They are available in Gold, Silver, and Standard editions, with investments ranging from US$20 to US$12,000.
The sale and purchase of NFTs for this campaign can be found here.
