COLOMBIE ALTO CIELO 250g

Located in La Pradera, Gigante, Huila, Luz Andrea Cabrera López produces coffee on her farm, Alto Cielo, situated at an altitude of 1,805 metres above sea level. The farm covers 1.8 hectares, all planted with coffee, including 1.13 hectares under development with 2,500 trees, and 0.63 hectares in production with 1,500 trees.

The estimated yield is 750 kg per season, with approximately 2,000 kg of parchment coffee produced, cultivating Taby and Geisha varieties since 1998.

Harvest & Post-Harvest

The main harvest runs from September to November, with a secondary harvest in May–June. The farm involves four family members, representing the third generation of coffee growers, and harvesting is done manually, with one permanent worker and three pickers.

Coffee is floated in cherry in canisters and fermented for 72 hours, and is sold exclusively as natural coffee. Drying is carried out under a shade structure.

Coocentral

Coocentral serves as the primary cooperative in Central Huila, with members typically owning farms ranging from 2 to 3 hectares at altitudes between 1400 to 2000 metres above sea level. The main varieties cultivated are Caturra, Castillo, and Variedad Colombia. The cooperative boasts 3747 members, of which 2098 are active contributors, delivering their parchment to reception points in various local villages (Veredas). Purchase points are located in Gigante, Garzon, Guadalupe, Suaza Tarqui, Pital, and Agrado. The harvest season in Central Huila spans from May to July and from October to December.

Impact

Coocentral collaborates with NA on a smallholder project aimed at enhancing coffee quality and the livelihoods of producers. This initiative involves investments in technical support, ongoing guidance, and training for growers. Presently, around 70 farmers are part of this project, with potential for expansion in the future.

Since 2005, Coocentral has invested 2.8 million USD in social programs. These initiatives encompass housing, university education, healthcare support (e.g., Coocentral covers 50% of hospital bills), funeral expenses, infrastructure development on farms, bonuses for fertiliser purchases made through the coop, life and natural disaster insurance, an in-house education system for young growers and growers' children, as well as pension funds. Growers receive 100% of the premium paid above the current market and daily purchasing prices.