AP correspondent Sam Mednick highlights a climate-resistant coffee initiative in South Sudan, showcasing its benefits for farmers’ livelihoods. Despite challenges, her team’s efforts resulted in a unique multimedia story that garnered significant attention and discussion.
South Sudan faces ongoing crises, but a unique initiative offers hope through the cultivation of climate-resistant coffee. West Africa reporter Sam Mednick discovered this initiative during her extensive coverage of the country, highlighting the possibility for improved livelihoods among local farmers through a rare coffee bean.
Mednick and photographer Brian Inganga spent months planning their trip to the coffee plantation, requiring precise timing and secured passage on a UN flight. After facing the eruption of fighting just days before their departure, they persevered and successfully reached the plantation while Mednick filmed her own video footage.
Their multifaceted story, consisting of text, photos, video content, and an Instagram reel, gained significant attention, even inspiring discussions on Reddit. While the climate resilience of excelsa coffee had been noted by trade publications, no other outlet had previously assessed its economic impact on farmers. The AP’s exclusive coverage presented a compelling and unique perspective on sustainability in the region.
The initiative for climate-resistant coffee in South Sudan represents a promising opportunity for local farmers to enhance their livelihoods amidst the ongoing crises. Sam Mednick’s exclusive coverage by AP not only documented the journey and challenges faced by the reporters but also shed light on the economic potential of excelsa coffee, distinguishing it from prior reports focused solely on its climate resilience.
Original Source: www.ap.org
