Productivity, Product quality and Income Support

The Asociación de Productores Finkafe is a non-profit agricultural cooperative based in Pichanaki, Chanchamayo Province, Junín, Peru and is made up of 495 producer members and their families (49 members joined within the last two years) , who all benefit from the Fair Trade Premium projects. They produce specialty coffee (varieties include Catuai, Caturra, Catimor, Typica, Pache, Costa Rica, Colombia, Geisha, Bourbon). The Fair Trade Committee shared the results of their votes for project planning with over 60% of its members approved and voted for spending $255,360USD towards 2024 focus areas of organizational and commercial strengthening, productivity and product quality and income improvement through price premiums. One highlighted project was dedicated to productivity and product quality. $110,726 in Community Development Funds were invested in support for three technical assistances in the field to support all 495 members. The project included fertilizer for soil enrichment, pest control suitable to Fair Trade and organic farming practices, new mechanized agricultural farming equipment, and a wet mill and solar dryers for processing to improve coffee quality and reduce moisture content. Additional investment of $15,385 was planned and directed towards technical tools, for certification and fieldwork, quality control lab equipment and truck for coffee collection. Finally, an income increase was supported via an distribution of $67,260 USD Fair Trade Premium. This was managed by an additional payment of 0.20 per kilo of parchment coffee produced to all producers to improve their farm profitability. This is an example of a reinvestment cycle for long term growth and sustainability.