Israel Montenegro Talks About Before and After Fair Trade

My name is Israel Carranza Montenegro and I have been a member of JUMARP since 2003. Being a member of JUMARP has helped me manage my land better with new production techniques. Before, we farmed without being careful of conserving trees, animals, or the forest. Before JUMARP was created, I was paid low prices for my coffee and was not able to pay for my children’s education. Now, with the new price we receive for our better quality coffee, our economic position has improved and our children attend school outside of the community. Before, we didn’t know where our coffee was exported; with JUMARP and the Fair Trade system we know exactly where our coffee goes, which businesses, and exactly what price has been paid. There is better management during the commercialization of our coffee. Being members of JUMARP has helped us become more solidified as a group and community.