Directors Report and Accounts 2021/22 - Report - Page 15
The co-operative also works closely with farmers like the
Garcia family, to share soil conservation methods such as
the application of coffee pulp as compost. In their dedication
to protect and preserve the landscape, they have also
established a 40-year reforestation project.
Elmer said: “We have also launched projects to strengthen
the women's committee, and supporting new technology that
helps the sustainability of the industry.”
However, CECAFE has also faced challenges and Elmer
explained what has affected the co-operative most: “The
consequences of the pandemic had a direct effect on
business performance, due to the loss of production.
Achieving positive economic results has been a challenge for
the entire team, including producers, managers, collaborators
and our partners.
COMBINING
INTUITION AND
INNOVATION
CECAFE brings together 852 farmers in the Amazonas region of Peru, who believe that
their coffee is a symbol of wellbeing. The co-operative produces high quality Fairtrade and
organic beans, grown amidst rainforest and mountain ranges.
Established in 2006 by a group of 80 coffee producers
from Lonya Grande, the co-operative has grown tenfold,
expanding its geographical coverage to other provinces in
the Amazonas and Cajamarca region, directed by Founder
and General Manager Elmer Sánchez.
“On the other hand, coffee exporters in Peru have had to deal
with the shortage of containers to send our product abroad.
This has delayed our deliveries; we have incurred increased
Image Above:
Auber Terrones, coffee taster, holds one of the coffee
brands produced by CECAFE.
costs, and even had to look for alternative ports.”
Shared Interest Head of Lending Paul Sablich said: “Weather
CECAFE is also working in partnership with our charity, Shared
cycles are changing and it can lead to severe disruption. An
Interest Foundation, to protect their coffee plants against the
example is the El Niño phenomenon, a cyclical event that
destruction of the borer beetle. One of the most harmful pests
increases the temperature of the Pacific Ocean.”
to coffee plantations, it can attack an entire yield of berries if
no control is applied. Due to the impact of climate change, the
“GLOBAL WARMING IS INCREASING THE
FREQUENCY OF ITS EXTREME EFFECTS, LEADING
TO INTENSIFYING DROUGHTS, WORSENING
FLOODS, AND SHIFTING HURRICANE PATTERNS.”
Shared Interest Head of Lending, Paul Sablich
tiny insect is thriving in warmer temperatures, which poses
increasing challenges for Peruvian farmers.
Last spring, CECAFE began to produce the Beauveria
Bassiana fungus in their onsite laboratory, using local native
strains. The fungus is mixed with water before being sprayed
across coffee plantations. Over 100 farmers have now used
This means that farmers like Segundo and Belver Garcia
this natural method – referred to as Biological Control - to
(pictured) can increase production, and have the income
needed to manage their land effectively, working in harmony
A few years ago, the northern coast of Peru was severely
with their surroundings. As production increases, so does
affected by landslides and flooding.
protect their plants.
CECAFE is also producing organic compost from natural
the amount of Fairtrade Premium paid to the co-operative.
CECAFE has dedicated this additional sum of money to
“Some producer organisations lost everything and we worked
waste products including coffee peel and animal manure. The
Elmer is proud of the traceability of CECAFE coffee and the
community projects promoting health and wellbeing for
alongside them, recognising the uncertainty that they faced. It
compost is sold to farmers at the affordable rate of £8 per
co-operative uses mobile technology to keep updated on
farmers and their families.
was a hugely difficult time for farmers and it has taken years
50kg bag, which can be purchased through a payment plan
to recover. We want to support businesses, communities and
with the co-operative.
farmers' yield. There is also an online system that allows
A member of CECAFE for 15 years, Segundo said: “Feeling the
people through these times of adversity to reach their full
trust that Shared Interest gives us is something that motivates
potential. After all, this is the true spirit of fair trade. And it is
A year ago, the commercial cost of a 50kg bag of compost
CECAFE has used Shared Interest finance for over ten years,
us a lot; especially if it comes from people whom we have a lot
this way of working together which will help farmers face new
was £15 but prices have since soared to £46 per bag due to
to ensure that farmers from local communities can earn a
of respect and admiration for.”
challenges, especially those related to climate change.
an increase in transport costs and inflation.
buyers to track their coffee from farm to shipment.
sustainable income.
A decade ago, Segundo’s son Belver joined the co-operative
“It represents an increasing threat to communities in the 49
Elmer told us that without this compost scheme, the majority
Elmer said: “The financial support provided by Shared Interest
with his wife Rosita and together they run their family-owned
countries we work across and the rich diversity of products
of farmers would not be able to afford organic fertiliser. This
has allowed our co-operative to pay farmers on delivery of
farm, which has been passed down through generations.
we support.”
would impact significantly upon their coffee production, sales
their coffee.”
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and income.
Main Article Image: Father and son, Segundo Garcia (L) and Belver Garcia (R),
coffee producers from the CECAFE co-operative in Lonya Grande, Peru.
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