cecovasa coffee producer - wickedcoffee.co.uk · and quechua farms in the inambari valley. a third...

INTRODUCTION La Central de Cooperativas Agrarias Cafetaleras de los Valles de

Sandi (CECOVASA) was founded in 1970 by five

the objective of exporting directly as a group, obtain

prices and sharing costs. Before this, farmers sold their beans to

local traders, who typically paid less than half the market price.

Today the organisation exports directly to US and European

markets and is one of the largest small producer organisations in

the country.

CECOVASA is a secondary-level organis

co-operatives which represent 5,049 Quechua and Aymara peasant

families. Eight of the co-ops are located in Puno region and two in

Cuzco region, with most farms located on the eastern slopes of the

Andes. Aymara farms are mainly located in the Tambopata Valley

and Quechua farms in the Inambari Valley. A third of coffee

production is in the buffer zone of Bahuaja Sonene National Park.

The farmers cultivate two hectares of coffee on average at

altitudes of 800 to 2,000 metres above sea level. The harvest lasts

from March to July, extending to November in the higher zones.

CECOVASA has a potential supply of 80,000 quintals (3,680 ton

a year. Its production is triple certified

Rainforest Alliance. In 2011-12, Fairtrade accounted for

sales. Members grow high quality specialty coffee which has won a

number of awards: five-time winners of the

competition (2005, 2007, 2009 , 2011 and 2012

brand was voted World Champion at the Specialty Coffee

Association of America (SCAA) fair in 2010 FAIRTRADE CECOVASA is paid the Fairtrade Minimum Price for Fairtrade

plus the additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in business

CECOVASA COFFEE PRODUCER PERU

La Central de Cooperativas Agrarias Cafetaleras de los Valles de

Sandi (CECOVASA) was founded in 1970 by five co-operatives with

directly as a group, obtaining better

Before this, farmers sold their beans to

local traders, who typically paid less than half the market price.

ly to US and European

markets and is one of the largest small producer organisations in

level organisation made up of 10 primary

operatives which represent 5,049 Quechua and Aymara peasant

ops are located in Puno region and two in

Cuzco region, with most farms located on the eastern slopes of the

located in the Tambopata Valley

and Quechua farms in the Inambari Valley. A third of coffee

fer zone of Bahuaja Sonene National Park.

The farmers cultivate two hectares of coffee on average at

altitudes of 800 to 2,000 metres above sea level. The harvest lasts

from March to July, extending to November in the higher zones.

ial supply of 80,000 quintals (3,680 tonnes)

s triple certified – Fairtrade, organic and

12, Fairtrade accounted for 75% of

coffee which has won a

winners of the national quality coffee

2005, 2007, 2009 , 2011 and 2012); their Café Tunki

at the Specialty Coffee

in 2010.

airtrade Minimum Price for Fairtrade sales

plus the additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in business

development and community improvements. FAIRTRADE PREMIUM PROJECTS

Business development

• Construction of new processing facility

• Installation of cupping laboratory at the central coffee storage facility

• Construction of coffee warehouses for village co-operatives

• Quality-control programme implemented at the Peruvian Coffee Board’s cupping laboratory to train

the workers responsible for the storage and shipment of members' coffee.

• Investment in farming equipment, including 40 coffee de-pulping machines, 1,000 pruning saws and

three humidity scales used in the coffee drying process, ongoing maintenance of de-pulping machines.

• Purchase of computers, printers and photocopiers for main office.

• Field agronomists employed to train farmers in quality control, organic production techniques and

environmental conservation procedures

Education

With the support of Fairtrade revenue, thousands of families have been able to send their children to

school and many children have gone on to higher education.

Women's Programmes

CECOVASA established the Committee for the Development of Women (CODEMU), which provides a

forum for discussion and training on topics such as first aid, leadership, gender roles and animal

husbandry.

Community Programmes

• Repair and maintenance of roads

• Financial contribution to the construction of a hydroelectric plant in nearby Tunquimayo that will

supply energy to the region

• Installation of sewer system

• Reforestation programmes

Fairtrade Foundation July 2013