Peru
"Farmer Field Schools were the basis for the successful establishment and independent operation of the CACSVU cooperative in Ubiriki"
Introduction
In March 2003, the project started to organize producers in Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to provide a learning structure focused on good agricultural practices, certification and market access.
As a result of the improved social coherence brought about by the FFS, the producers set up their own cooperative in 2004, ''Cooperativa Agraria Cafetera Sostenible Valle Ubiriki'' (CACSVU). With support from the DE Foundation, the cooperative began a voluntary certification process. This led to 100 CACSVU members becoming certified in accordance with the UTZ Certified Code of Conduct. The cooperative grew to 300 producers in 2009 and extended the certification to programs like Organic, CAFE Practices and Rainforest Alliance. In addition to certification, the cooperative also worked on quality improvement, which was assisted by training in quality sampling (cupping) by a Sara Lee coffee quality expert, Mr.Rob Smits. Improved quality, combined with certification meant that members now obtain a far higher price for their coffee. The cooperative set up CETPRO (technical vocational education centre) to train the trainers for the FFS and to supply paid for services to other interested organizations in the area.
In 2008, an impact assessment showed that the project achieved the expected outcome. A second independent evaluation commissioned by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI) showed our Peru project to be one of the best performing projects out of 12 projects worldwide and affiliated to SAIs coffee working group.
Focus of the project
Improvement of sustainable coffee cultivation and processing for small-scale producers in the Ubiriki, Pichanaki valleys.
Activities
- Training
- Registration of crop activities by farmers
- Field trials
- Development of cooperative
- Support and outreach
Results
Approximately 300 producers were trained on good agricultural practices and certification. Overall, the quality of coffee has improved and some 300 farms hold various certificates (e.g., UTZ Certified, Organic, CAFE Practices, Rainforest Alliance). The producers are now organised in a cooperative (CACSVU) and receive higher prices for their coffee than other producers in the region. Productivity improved after the farmers increasingly pruned their coffee and generally practiced better crop husbandry.
Partners
Contact information
Eefje den Belder: eefje.denbelder@wur.nl
Martín García Aranda: marting@ubiriki.com.pe
Map of the region
Details
|
DE Foundation café sostenible proyecto in Perú |
|
| Location |
Ubiriki Valley, department Junín |
| Products |
Semi-wet processed Arabica |
| Duration |
2003 - 2011 |
| Elevation |
1,100-1,500 m |
| Project farms |
300 farms, 1,450 people reached |
| Average farm size |
Total 15 ha, of which 4.6 ha coffee, producing 2,000 kg of green coffee |
Results so far
- 300 producers trained
- Quality improvement
- All are now certified
- Coffee prices increased
- Producers organised in a cooperative
Our methods and philosophy
The DE Foundation works to further sustainability in mainstream coffee and tea, working in particular with small-scale producers. In 3-5 years projects we work to improve the quality of their produce, support the implementation of sustainable practices and create market access with better prices.
About DE Foundation
The DE Foundation was established by Sara Lee in 2002 as an independent foundation.The Board comprises of 5 members, all of whom have a passion for sustainability.