A few weeks ago I described how we are working to reduce the risk to smallholder farmers innovating in the name of quality. Yesterday, I was finally able to visit the field here in Nicaragua and see the pilot project for processing pulp natural coffee (alternatively called semi-washed and honey coffee). Today, some images that show what innovation looks like in the community of Las Sabanas.
N.B.: The pulp natural pilot project with the 5 de junio cooperative is made possible by a grant from the Chuck and Ellen Haas Foundation, and complements a broader range of activities undertaken in partnership with 5 de junio under the CAFE Livelihoods project.
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2 Comments
Michael, I have just discovered your blog, and spent the last hour browsing several articles. Such beautiful pictures of the people, the coffee, and the ideas being put to work. Farmers in general have little economic power – they can only respond to market pricing, not control it. Coffee farmers, many of whom are in countries with weak infrastructure and uncertain political climate have an even harder time. Thank goodness for people and organizations like yours.
I never knew that CRS was involved in coffee farming! I saw something recently about hand cranked rubble crushers supplied by CRS in Haiti that are amazingly simple and incredibly helpful for the Haitians trying to clean up and rebuild. So now CRS is sending eco-pulpers to Central America?! Go CRS!
We have never met, but I would like to cheer you on and encourage your continued work in the field.
Ellen:
Thanks for the kind words! Thanks, too, for mentioning the extraordinary work being done by my colleagues in Haiti, to say nothing of the persistent hope and perserverance of the Haitian people we have the privilege to accompany there during this difficult time. Next to the hand-cranked rock crushers, eco-pulpers seem like a luxury item. In the end, however, we work to meet disadvantaged people where they are and provide the accompaniment and support that can help them overcome some of the structural disadvantages they face. In one context it may be hand cranks for crushing rubble, in another it might be a hand-cranked depulper. It can be slow going in both contexts, as you might imagine, so encouraging words like yours help.
Michael.
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