Sustainable and Harmonious Productivity

The Asociación de Productores Indígenas y Campesinos Agroecológicos (ASOANEI or ANEI) is a coffee and cocoa cooperative with over 600 members located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Serranía del Perijá regions of Colombia. These families produce coffee and cocoa using sustainable, traditional methods rooted in ancestral knowledge. In 2024, ASOANEI allocated more than $1.8 million USD in Fair Trade Premium funds to strengthen its operations and improve community well-being. These investments were part of a strategic five-year plan totaling $9.65 million USD.
These investments are designed to improve living conditions, protect the environment, and preserve cultural heritage. The Fair Trade Premium is not just a financial tool—it’s a mechanism for sustainable development and empowerment.
$500,000 USD was invested in rural development, including the distribution of organic fertilizers, technical assistance, and agricultural machinery to improve productivity and autonomy.
$475,000 USD enhanced operational capacity, funding training, infrastructure, and microcredit access to improve post-harvest handling and logistics.
$97,250 USD was utilized for commercial outreach, enabling ASOANEI to participate in international events and build relationships with new buyers.
$170,000 USD went toward strategic planning, helping the cooperative strengthen its administrative and leadership capabilities.
$136,750 USD are invested annually in maintaining certifications, such as Fair Trade and Organic, which add market value and ensure compliance with ethical standards.
$425,000 USD funded community projects, including infrastructure improvements and innovation initiatives across ASOANEI’s territory.
To help portray the importance of ancestral knowledge, one specific project is one named "Meetings for Territorial Harmonization.” It is critical for this association of producers of ANEI to exist in alignment with nature and the ancestral traditions of the land. The association has developed this meeting series, where visions and proposals from various actors on sustainable productivity in harmony with nature and the territory were compiled and agreed upon. Zones and ecosystems to intervene were defined, with the participation of ancestral leaders and local and zonal organizations.
The association has held forty “Territorial Meetings” in municipalities, where local delegates, associates, and their families participate. Priority topics of discussion include territory management, environmental protection, and ancestral knowledge. The goal is to provide services such as technical assistance, training, tools delivery or loans, regional investments, infrastructure improvements, and educational support. They are proud to claim "We are a model of territorial harmonization."
Alba Mireya Izquierdo, an Arhuaco coffee producer and mother of three, exemplifies the impact of ASOANEI’s support. From her farm in Jewrwa, she is experimenting with fermentation techniques to produce high-quality microlots. Her work reflects the cooperative’s commitment to innovation and excellence. "We’re not just growing coffee," Alba says. "We’re growing hope. For our children, for our land, and for the world."