Climate-Resilient Coffee Species, Substitutes, and Emerging Origins

Rwanda is moving five climate-resilient varieties, including RAB C15, into commercial trials; Kenya promotes Ruiru 11 and Batian; and Uganda is screening Kisansa–Robusta crosses, with 100 candidates reportedly narrowing toward 10 for future testing. These remain trials rather than proven drought solutions: heat survival does not establish drought tolerance, cup quality, yields, farmer economics, or commercial readiness, and outcomes depend on irrigation, shade, soil, fertilizer, disease pressure, and location.