OUR WORK IN EL SALVADOR
HELPING THE FARMERS TO OVERCOME THEIR PROBLEMS
When it comes to growing coffee, few places in the world offer the ideal soil and climate conditions found in El Salvador. It is beneath the shade of what is known as the Coffee Forest where coffee plants can reach their full potential. This means that the coffee produced there is nothing short of exquisite - 100% Arabica coffee, which has been described as having a "balanced and sweet cup profile, with consistently flawless processing"
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"Coffee is El Salvador's number one export, with the industry supporting close to 135,000 jobs"
Coffee is the number one export in El Salvador, composing about 30 percent of the total value of the country's revenues, therefore playing a vital role in the country's economy. Its production supports close to 135,000 jobs, which account for 25% of the agricultural sector.
With such a large number of people's livelihoods relying on coffee, El Salvador is a priority for our assistance.
THE ISSUES
The main problem faced by small-scale coffee farmers in El Salvador - and in many other green coffee producing countries
– is their reliance on traditional techniques. A lack of improved technology and expertise in more efficient growing and harvesting procedures has allowed inefficient farming practices to continue, resulting in unprofitable yields. Further to this, many farmers only grow coffee, meaning that they have nothing else to sell should their coffee crop fail.
HOW WE'RE HELPING
We are working with four cooperatives in order to improve the productivity and security of these farmers, by giving them the right resources to grow better quality coffee more efficiently. We are also providing them with the opportunity to diversify their produce and generate alternative sources of income.
"Many El Salvadorian farmers grow only coffee; they have nothing else to sell should their crops fail"
Agronomists were introduced to help these farmers better understand the modern processes for producing and harvesting coffee. They also help in
identifying the most appropriate produce to introduce to each plot where diversification – the practice whereby farmers branch out into
other agricultural areas – was planned. By providing expert advice, those involved in the scheme are finally facing a future of profitable, yet sustainable, farming.
"NESCAFÉ provides advice, materials and plants needed to help establish alternative revenue streams"
To help improve day-to-day life, new houses have been provided for some workers working in the cooperatives as well as a clinic and training centre.
Education of the local children has also become a particular focus for us, and an educational project involving 700 pupils is also underway, helping them to acquire the knowledge and skills to improve the situation of their own region long into the future.
FAIRTRADE
The farmers who supply NESCAFÉ Partners' Blend belong to four Fairtrade certified cooperatives and these in turn are part of a larger cooperative group called Proexcafe. For further information please visit www.proexcafe.com
