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Colombia‘s Coffee Production Faces Challenges Amidst Climate Change and Labor Shortages
Bogotá, Colombia – Colombia’s coffee sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, is grappling with a confluence of factors threatening production levels. Unpredictable weather patterns linked too climate change, coupled with a growing labor shortage in coffee-growing regions, are creating significant hurdles for farmers.
Recent data from the Colombian National Coffee Federation (FNC), released on November 15, 2023, indicates a potential 10-15% decrease in Arabica coffee production for the 2023-2024 harvest year compared to the previous year. this decline is primarily attributed to unusually heavy rainfall during the flowering period in key coffee-producing departments like Quindío, Caldas, and risaralda. The excessive moisture disrupted pollination,leading to lower yields.
The FNC reports that Colombia produced approximately 11.3 million 60-kilogram bags of washed Arabica coffee in the 2022-2023 harvest. A 15% reduction would bring the 2023-2024 output to around 9.6 million bags. This is a significant drop for a country that consistently ranks among the world’s top three Arabica coffee producers, alongside Brazil and Vietnam.
Beyond climate-related issues, a critical labor shortage is exacerbating the problem. Many young Colombians are migrating from rural coffee-growing areas to urban centers in search of better economic opportunities, leaving an aging workforce to maintain the labor-intensive coffee farms. According to a study by the Ministry of Labor conducted in September 2023, the coffee sector faces a shortfall of approximately 80,000 workers nationwide.
“The combination of erratic weather and the lack of available labor is a serious threat to the sustainability of Colombian coffee,” stated Cecilia Vélez, a coffee farmer in Salento, Quindío, who has been cultivating coffee for over 30 years. “We need urgent support from the government and the FNC to address these challenges.”
The FNC is implementing several initiatives to mitigate the impact of these issues. These include providing farmers with technical assistance on climate-resilient farming practices, such as shade-grown coffee and water conservation techniques. They are also advocating for government policies to incentivize rural employment and attract younger generations back to the coffee sector. A new program, launched in October 2023, offers subsidized loans to farmers for the adoption of modern harvesting technologies, aiming to reduce reliance on manual labor.
Furthermore, the FNC is investing in research and development to identify coffee varieties that are more resistant to climate change and diseases like coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), which has historically caused significant losses in Colombian coffee production. The Cenicafé research center, the FNC’s scientific arm, is currently trialing several promising hybrid varieties.
The challenges facing Colombian coffee production have implications for global coffee markets. Colombia’s Arabica coffee is highly regarded for its quality and flavor profile, and any significant reduction in supply could lead to higher prices for consumers worldwide. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) projects a global coffee deficit in the 2023-2024 season, and the situation in Colombia is expected to further tighten supply.
Looking ahead, the long-term sustainability of Colombian coffee will depend on the ability of farmers, the FNC, and the government to adapt to the changing climate and address the labor shortage. Investing
The Spanish-Mexican singer Belinda suffered a spectacular fall while participating in a catwalk at Paris Fashion Week in France. The 35-year-old was modeling a creation for L’Oréal’s “Walk Your Worth” show as part of the spring-summer 2025 collection at the Paris National Opera theater.
The video captured the artist entering the stage with authority, right after the Brazilian singer Anitta, and, halfway there, the woman tripped and fell forward.
Precisely Anitta, who did not realize what was happening at that moment because she was recording a video on the catwalk, noticed shortly after and helped her to stand up. to continue with his show.
Later, Belinda resumed her role as model to continue with the catwalk and ended by blowing a kiss to those present who applauded her bravery and courage in controlling the situation.
However, on Wednesday, September 25, it was revealed behind the scenes of the parade in which Belinda can be seen crying over what happened. The singer is leaning against a wall with her hands on her face, two women notice her distress and hug her and also give her some words of encouragement.
One of the women who approached Belinda would be the Mexican actress Renata Notniwho was also at the parade to give her a message of encouragement and try to calm her down.
According to People magazine, stars of the entertainment industry paraded at the event, such as Heidi Klum, Kendal Jenner, Cara Delevingne, Eva Longoria, Camila Cabello and other famous ones.
Mobility
The Council of State on Thursday annulled the decision of the Brussels government to limit the number of electric shared scooters. This is what La Libre Belgique and La Dernière Heure write.
In December, the Brussels Region selected Bolt and Dott as the only two operators who still had a permit for electric shared scooters. A maximum of 8,000 shared scooters would also be allowed to drive around in the capital. VOI and Lime, among others, were left out and went to the summary proceedings judge. In January, they decided that they could continue their activities until their permit expired. The Council of State now suspends the decision of the Brussels government.
“From this morning, the rejected operators, if they still have a permit, can re-deploy and put into service the number of scooters they wish to deploy,” the lawyers for the plaintiff BeeRide stated.
Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Green) makes no secret of the fact that she was disappointed “about the legal guerrilla of the operators, who had asked for this reform and agreed to it after extensive consultation. We needed a much-needed reform of the scooter industry to provide pedestrians, and especially people with reduced mobility, with a serene public space,” he said.
Dropzones
Van den Brandt is pleased that the Council of State has validated the legality of the drop zones and the parking fine system. “Since January 1, we have seen a real improvement – even if not yet perfect – in terms of respect for the sidewalks. The Council of State has now also introduced a fine system with which we can exclude an operator who does not comply with these rules.”
Regarding the number of active operators and the number of scooters per operator, the minister regrets that the Council of State has not given the Region permission to switch more quickly to a system with two operators. “But she does show the legal possibilities to do that and we are working on it with Brussels Mobility,” Van den Brandt concludes.
Testosterone is essential for health, and is the most important hormone in men’s health. It maintains fertility and sperm production, in addition to building muscle and bone mass and strength. But what many people do not know is that increasing it can exacerbate the risk of health problems, including enlargement of the prostate gland.
In this article, nutritionist Hala Hussein Al-Qaqour talks about the signs of high testosterone, also known as hyperandrogenism in men, its importance, the reasons for low or increased levels in the blood, and how to avoid the risks resulting from it.
What are the risks of high testosterone levels?
High testosterone in men can cause a variety of symptoms, including excess facial and body hair, aggression, and infertility.
High testosterone, most often in men, is due to anabolic steroid use or testosterone supplements.
Therefore, people who experience symptoms associated with high testosterone should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Untreated high testosterone levels can increase the risk of infertility, cancer and other problems.
What are the symptoms of high testosterone in the blood?
Blood levels of testosterone vary greatly over time and even during the day.
In fact, most of what we know about abnormally high testosterone levels in men comes from athletes who use steroids, testosterone, or related hormones to increase muscle mass and athletic performance.
Problems associated with high testosterone levels include:
– Low sperm count.
– Shrinking of the testicles (less than 20 ml in volume).
Small penis, impotence and infertility.
Prostate enlargement with difficulty urinating.
– Weight gain, which may be partly related to increased appetite.
– Cholesterol.
– Hypertension.
– Heart muscle damage and increased risk of heart attacks.
– Increased risk of blood clots.
– insomnia.
– headache.
– Aggressive behavior (still under study).
– Mood swings, euphoria and irritability.
– young love.
Could you have a testosterone deficiency?
Qaqour confirms that in recent years, researchers have focused on the effects of testosterone deficiency, especially among men. We know very well that as men age, testosterone levels decline very gradually, by 1 percent to 2 percent each year, in contrast to the relatively rapid decline in estrogen that causes menopause in women.
The testicles produce a smaller amount of testosterone with age, in addition to the fact that there are fewer signals from the pituitary gland responsible for urging the testicles to produce testosterone.
All of this reduces the active form of testosterone in the body. More than a third of men over the age of 45 may have low levels of testosterone.
What are the causes of low testosterone levels in the body?
Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low libido, erectile dysfunction), decreased skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression and mood swings.
The most important reasons responsible for the decline are:
* Using plastic cups: because they contain substances harmful to health, including bisphenol A.
* Overweight and diabetes: Obesity is a problem that many men suffer from, whether young or old.
Obese men have a lot of visceral fat (or fat on vital organs). These fats produce harmful substances and can therefore cause insulin resistance, high blood pressure and low testosterone levels.
* Aging and decreased testicular function: Aging is characterized by decreased testosterone due to low testosterone levels associated with decreased testicular production, genetic factors, obesity, and disease.
* Inadequate sleep: increases cortisol levels (stress hormone) and reduces testosterone levels in the morning.
* Vitamin D deficiency.
* Stress and lack of sleep.
* Alcohol abuse.
How does excess weight affect testosterone levels?
Visceral fat is stored in the ventral shunt near a number of vital organs. Having a large amount of visceral fat can stop testosterone production, which encourages more belly fat to be stored. This causes the appearance of the abdomen, which is common in middle-aged men.
When can testosterone therapy be used?
Testosterone therapy is approved to treat delayed puberty in males and abnormally low testosterone production resulting from a defect in the testicles, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus.
Men may be eligible for testosterone therapy when they have significantly low levels of active testosterone or if certain symptoms are present.
What are the risks of testosterone therapy?
Some men and even women experience immediate side effects of testosterone treatment, such as acne, disturbed breathing during sleep, breast swelling or pain, or swollen ankles. An increase in the number of red blood cells is monitored because it increases the risk of clotting.
What is the role of testosterone for athletes?
. Testosterone plays an essential role in regulating muscle mass and the way the body responds to exercise.
When you do physical activity for a long time, your muscles experience minor trauma. So after that, the body begins to repair damaged muscle tissue and increase its strength and size.
But is it correct to use these hormones to build muscle and increase athletic performance?
Of course not, you should not resort to it unless you suffer from a lack of testosterone. Because high levels of male hormones can lead to infertility by preventing the production of follicle stimulating hormone, which is responsible for sperm production, in addition to psychological and neurological disorders, heart problems, cancer, and recorded cases of addiction to these hormones.
How can I increase testosterone levels naturally?
There are 10 healthy ways that can be followed to raise testosterone without the need for medications or supplements, the most important of which are:
– Drink water in glass cups instead of plastic ones.
– Enjoy a healthy sexual life.
– Losing excess weight.
– Focus on healthy fats: nuts, fatty fish, and avocado.
– Increase zinc consumption: legumes, nuts, meat and shellfish.
– Sleep in a dark room for 6-8 hours a day.
– Avoid smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.
In conclusion, I would like to remind young people, especially athletes, not to take any type of hormonal supplements before turning to therapeutic nutritionists to help them reach their goal in a safe and healthy way.
We also recommend following a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly because this helps maintain hormonal balance and avoid health problems.
2023-12-14 13:57:00
#Reasons #high #levels #testosterone #blood
Canary Islands and Castilla-La Mancha were the only autonomous communities in which mortgages increased on housing last October, according to provisional data released this Monday by the College of Registrars.
In the Canary Islands they increased by 3.5% compared to October 2022 and in Castilla-La Mancha by 4.4%, while the most notable declines were recorded in Melilla (-52.7%), Asturias (-41.2 %), Aragón (-41.1%), Cantabria (-38.4%) or Madrid (-36.8%). In the case of Catalonia the cut was 12.8%.
At the national level, registered home sales fell by 11.4% in October, while mortgages established for the purchase of a home fell even further, by 22.4% year-on-year.
Specifically, in October there were 44,454 registered sales and purchases, which represents a decrease of around 5,700 compared to those registered in the same period of the previous year after the impact that the successive increases in interest rates have had on the real estate market. interest, which have led to an increase in the cost of financing.
In the case of registered home mortgages, the drop has been almost 9,000 operations, going from 39,743 the previous year to 30,850 last October.
By autonomous community, the largest decreases in registered sales occurred in the Balearic Islands (-29.8%), Melilla (-28.8%), Cantabria (-25.4%) or Andalusia (-18.8%). In Catalonia, for its part, they fell by 11.4% and in Madrid by 9%. There were only increases in Navarra (10.8%); Asturias (7.5%); Murcia (3.6%) and Castilla-La Mancha (3.1%).
Analyzing the total sales and purchases, not just those of housing, the drop in October stands at 6.7% year-on-year with 86,269 transactions.
On the contrary, in the case of mortgages the total drop is greater than in housing mortgages, with a cut of 23.4% and 40,266 registered.
The registrars recall that since June 2022 there has been a slowdown in the number of sales, which was preceded by significant sustained annual growth. Starting in July of this year, the declines intensified, reaching the largest drop in the period analyzed in September (-20.6%).
Looking at the mortgages established, a downward trend similar to sales and purchases can be seen until December 2022, having shown more intense falls during 2023 as a consequence of the increases in interest rates. In fact, total mortgages have already accumulated nine consecutive months of decline.
2023-12-11 21:40:04
#mortgage #firm #Canary #Islands #resists #October #general #decline #country
Al-Marsad newspaper: Clinical nutrition consultant, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Othman, said that as the temperature drops during the winter, the number of heartbeats and breathing periods decrease.
He added during his appearance on Al-Ekhbariya channel: “There is a kind of reduction in movement in the winter, because the body needs to calm down and rest for a long period.”
He continued: “The winter nights are long, because the body needs rest for a long time, and those who turn their day into day and their day into night face a problem, so I pray that the sleep period should be between 8 and 9 hours.”
Video | Clinical Nutrition Consultant Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Othman: Low weather temperature reduces the number of heartbeats, which leads to laziness, so I call for sleeping 7 to 10 hours in the winter. #Program_120#News pic.twitter.com/0UyN5Ebsw7
– Al-Akhbariya Channel (@alekhbariyatv) December 9, 2023
2023-12-09 12:46:28
#video.. #consultant #reveals #reason #decrease #heart #rate #winter.. #explains #number #hours #sleep #body