PERU ORGANIC RFA NORTE SHB EP

Cooperatives have long defined the coffee culture of Peru, where the bulk of production comes from small farms owned and managed by indigenous people who follow organic farm management practice attuned to their cultural connection with the land. A perfect example is Central Fronteriza del Norte de Cafetaleros (CENFROCAFE), which is an umbrella cooperative established in 1999 that supports 84 local producer associations and 3,000 coffee producers in the northern highlands of the Cajamarca growing region. Producers typically cultivate coffee on just a few acres of land intercropped with shade trees, bananas, corn, and beans. They carefully harvest and sort cherries before depulping, fermenting, washing, and drying the coffee using their own micro-mills. After processing, the cooperative carries out activities that often go unnoticed but are crucial for small producers. Investments for basic infrastructure needs, like road improvements, establishing local warehouses, and preparing coffee for export are all coordinated through CENFROCAFE, which ensures traceability and quality control throughout the post-harvest process. CENFROCAFE also provides producers with financing, training, and technical assistance to improve coffee quality. Investments in social programs on a larger and more impactful scale, using the collective resources generated from the sale of coffee, are implemented through CENFROCAFE. Environmental training programs, healthcare initiatives, life insurance, and educational opportunities are just some of the ways the cooperative strives to improve the quality of life for coffee producers and their families.