Dominican Coffee Industry Launches Sustainable Farm Certification and Integrated Coffee System
The Dominican Coffee Institute (INDOCAFE) has marked a historic milestone for the national and regional coffee sector with the launch of the Sustainable Coffee Farm Certification Program (SCF) and the introduction of the Integrated Coffee Information and Services System (SIISEC). Both initiatives aim to strengthen competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and traceability of Dominican coffee, enhancing its positioning in international markets.
A pioneering certification in the Caribbean
The Sustainable Coffee Farm Certification is the first national certification for sustainable coffee in the Dominican Republic and the first of its kind in the Caribbean backed by a governmental institution. This initiative is driven by the Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes Project (BPP), led by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The program demonstrates that coffee production can successfully combine biodiversity conservation with economic development, integrating responsible farming practices that preserve the environment and enhance rural sustainability.
Institutional and strategic support
During the event’s inauguration, Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz highlighted the Dominican government’s efforts to restore coffee’s importance in the rural economy and integrate it into national sustainability policies. Meanwhile, Ana María Díaz, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized that the BPP initiative has been crucial in establishing a production model where biodiversity conservation and economic competitiveness advance together, yielding tangible benefits for both producers and the ecosystem.
Leónidas Batista Díaz, INDOCAFE’s executive director, stressed that the SIISEC system will be open to the coffee sector, enabling international markets, such as the European Union, to verify the quality of Dominican coffee and best practices in environmental preservation and biodiversity management.
Technological innovation and international compliance
The SCF program aligns with international standards for responsible production, ensuring that coffee farmers meet environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria. The SIISEC operates as a cutting-edge technological platform integrating production, environmental, and commercial information, facilitating sector diagnostics, strategic planning, and production traceability. This platform also ensures compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), guaranteeing that exported coffee is free from negative impacts on forests and local ecosystems.
Expert panel and sector participation
The event included a panel titled “The Dominican Coffee Sector Facing the EUDR”, moderated by journalist Diurka Pérez, with experts including Leónidas Batista (INDOCAFE), Sandy Susaña, Richard Peralta, and Pierre Candelon (UNDP), discussing challenges and opportunities for Dominican coffee to consolidate its sustainability and international competitiveness.
During the formal SCF launch, Dr. Salvador Ramos, director of the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI), presented the official “Sustainable Coffee Farm” brand certificate to INDOCAFE, while Ana María Díaz of UNDP delivered the first promotional kit to producer and exporter Alfredo Díaz.
Program impact and outlook
The Deputy Minister of Protected Areas and Biodiversity, Carlos Augusto Batista, described the certification as “a firm step toward environmental sustainability, forest governance, and responsible production of Dominican coffee.”
The event concluded with the presentation of program promotional materials, including brochures, Certification Guide, institutional website, and promotional video, available for producers and strategic partners. The activity saw participation from leading producers, cooperatives, exporters, roasters, government authorities, and representatives of international cooperation agencies.
