CECOCAFEN

CECOCAFEN, the Central Association of Northern Coffee Cooperatives, is located in the mountainous region of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Coffee farming has a long tradition in Matagalpa, dating back to the mid-1800s. The area is particularly favourable for coffee cultivation, especially in the Isabelia and Dariense mountain ranges. These areas possess rich volcanic soils, high altitudes, a humid tropical climate, and lush vegetation, all of which contribute to the unique flavour of the region's internationally renowned coffee.

	A member of CECOCAFEN drying his coffee in the sun, and sorting for the best quality. Photo by Matt Kadey.

In 1997, with the aid of international financial organizations and the contributions of local farmers, the Organization of Northern Coffee Cooperatives, CECOCAFEN was founded to promote and sell its members' coffee. CECOCAFEN is an umbrella organization that promotes and sells quality coffees from eleven cooperatives which represent approximately 2,637 small-scale coffee farmers (709 women, 1,928 men). The foundation of their operation rests upon: producing a quality coffee, establishing programs for ecological practices, and offering equitable opportunities for integrated development of their members’ communities.

CECOCAFEN started with 500 producers, exporting 7000 quintals of coffee. Today, more than 2000 families are members, exporting around 100 containers annually.

In the early years of CECOCAFEN obtaining credit for their members was particularly challenging. However, recently they've made significant strides in better systematizing their credit structure. When local banks are unwilling to provide credit lines to small producers, this provides an excellent alternative source of funds for CECOCAFEN members. These funds can be used for things such as covering the costs of production until they are able to see their harvest.

The Sol Café (Solar Processing Plant)

	Solcafe workers performing final quality check. Photo by Matt Kadey.

With Fair Trade premiums and development credits, CECOCAFEN was able to purchase the SolCafé processing plant in 1999. It is equipped with ample drying beds, a complete line of sorting machines and a fully equipped cupping laboratory. This cupping lab was installed so that their coffee could be sampled and tested prior to shipment. Internalizing these steps for processing and testing allows CECOCAFEN to improve quality control and to negotiate significantly better prices for their members. Not only are steps being taken at SolCafé to improve the cooperatives' coffee, but careful attention has been taken to improve the quality of the work environment as well. For example, workers at SolCafé are paid competitive wages and special attention is paid to ensuring health and safety standards are maintained.

CECOCAFEN is determined to ensure they remain competitive with larger producers who have recently entered the market after being attracted by the growth in both fair trade and organic products. They are trying to increase the productive yield of their plantation in order to lower costs of production, maintain coffee quality, and improve the standard of living of their members. They are also always striving to ensure they receive the best possible price for their coffee and exploring possibilities for diversifying their production.

The Impact of Fair Trade

• Infrastructure improvements. Fair Trade revenues from 1999 helped CECOCAFEN make improvements to their infrastructure by financing the purchase of the solar processing plant, SOLCAFE. SOLCAFE is now the leading mill in the area and a quality control laboratory was installed in 2002.

	CECOCAFEN Cupping Laboratory. Photo by Matt Kadey.

• Fair Trade coffee sales have grown steadily and so have the numbers of children able to participate in CECOCAFEN’s high school, technical training and university scholarship programs. Some 428 children have now benefitted from these programs. Students learn, amongst a number of other skills, skills which are relevant to the functioning of the cooperatives. In exchange they provide 100 hours of work to the organization. These students carry out an important role in the cooperatives adult education programs. In one year, 32 young people helped 375 adults to learn how to read and write. Thus far CECOCAFEN has funded 134 secondary school, 30 university, and 19 technical school scholarships which were awarded to cooperative members and their children.

• In addition to access to formal education, CECOCAFEN also provides training for its members in sustainable agriculture techniques such as organic and shade cultivation, terracing, soil conservation, and crop diversification.

• The increased income gained from selling Fair Trade has also allowed community women’s groups to participate in micro-savings and loan programs which facilitate a variety of production projects as well as putting more food on the table. There are 26 groups representing 652 women with combined savings of approximately 100 thousand dollars.

Other Benefits of Fair Trade

CECOCAFEN launched an exciting, new ecotourism project which will generate additional income for the farming families, educate visitors about coffee production and Fair Trade, and foster an increased awareness and protection of their natural resources. For instance youth have been trained to identify the local flora and fauna and to serve as guides. The women are organized into committees and are learning how to appropriately house and feed the visitors.