Producer Profiles

CAC Divisoria

Having survived the political violence of the late 1980’s and 1990’s, families of small coffee producers in the departments of Huanuco and Ucayali in Peru, decided to form a cooperative and help each other increase the productivity and quality of their coffee. Together, they established control mechanisms guaranteeing the sustainable management of their primary resources while also contributing to the protection and conservation of the environment. The cooperative became Fair Trade Certified in 2004.

Today, CAC Divisoria’s infrastructure includes several small stores, laboratories and machinery and equipment used to maintain cocoa bean quality. Fair Trade premiums and collaborations with other NGOs have helped the cooperative develop training programs for its workers, providing substantial help in producing a better product, up to par with international standards and markets, and whose price difference favors the improvement of farmers’ standards of living.
 

Quotable

“

The Fair Trade premium is a valuable economic source that is helping everyone in our organization better understand production techniques. It is helping us staff our technical department, improve production, raise our standard of living and simply strengthen our organization in its entirety.  ”

Aurelio Nuñez Marcos, CAC Divisoria member
“

The Fair Trade premium is allowing all family members of the cooperative to improve their technical skills and obtain better quality coffee. It reminds us of the great value of family and the important role our spouses play.  ”

Ignacio Bravo Condezo

Programs

Trainings and New Equipment

The co-op provides training in quality control, best agricultural methods and practices, and cupping to its members and their children. With the assistance from one agricultural extension professional, they have purchased new farming equipment to help farmers implement new skills.

Higher Learning Scholarships

CAC Divisoria supports member families by offering varied scholarships to high achieving students in the community. An education scholarship is provided to these students so they may go on to pursue higher education degrees at a college or a vocational school. This is an exceptional opportunity for these students since traditionally, many in the community have limited or no formal education.

Workshops for Women Empowerment

CAC Divisoria offers female cooperative members workshops on issues such as gender and leadership, agricultural diversification, and other general ways or opportunities towards a better quality of life.