Which of these statements describes a disadvantage of shade-grown coffee
beans?
O
A. Shade-grown coffee trees produce fewer coffee beans per plant.
O
B. Shade-grown coffee trees allow farmers to produce coffee while
still protecting the native forest.
O
C. Farmers harvest wood and fruit from the forest trees on shade
grown coffee farms.
O
D. Birds live in the forest trees on shade-grown coffee farms.

The correct answer is A. A disadvantage of shade-grown coffee beans is that shade-grown coffee trees produce fewer coffee beans per plant.

Explanation:

The expression “shade coffee” designates coffee produced on trees cultivated under a canopy rather than in vast fields exposed to the sun, which in turn is a very productive technique but requires, for the maintenance of a high yield, the irrigation and spreading of large quantities of polluting pesticides and fertilizers. Rather, shade trees protect coffee trees from rain and sunlight, help preserve soil quality, reduce the amount of weed control needed, and provide habitat for a diverse range of wildlife. The organic matter produced by these trees also provides natural mulch which reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, prevents erosion and provides important nutrients to the soil. But the negative part of this type of coffee growing is that it produces a lesser amout of coffe beans.