Wonders

Country: Peru

Method: Swiss Water

Producer: Cooperativa Agraria Frontera San Ignacio

Region: San Ignacio, Cajamarca

Varietal: Bourbon,Catimor,Caturra,Mundo Novo,Pache,Typica

Elevation: 1000 - 1800 masl

Brew: Espresso/Filter

The San Ignacio Province sits at the top of the Cajamarca region in Northern Perú sharing aborder to the north with Ecuador. Here thewestern and eastern mountain ranges of theAndes meet to form microclimates in thebuttresses and valleys that descend from themountains to the Amazon basin. 

The farms are located in the buffer zones of aprotected natural area, and have seen spectacledbears, cock-of-the-rocks, jaguars and peccarieswithin their boundaries. This means working withan organic methodology and certification is astrategic point because through these standards,a culture of protection of wildlife and species indanger of extinction is encouraged and created.Such microclimates present perfect opportunitiesto grow coffee.

The cooperative offers 432 members that embody itthe chance to increase quality via improved access toservices such as technical assistance, social services,financial support and the facilities to cup the cropthey are growing. With cupping and grading providingthe final sorting options, it means the control is therefor a great quality cup, and the extra revenue earnedis reflected in the price paid to the farmer.

Recent projects have received grants to strengthenthe production chain of honey and its derivativeswithin the cooperative. This has been led by 81 leadingmembers of Las Damas de San Ignacio, a genderequality focussed committee within the cooperative.Bio-orchards, agroforestry systems and reforestationwill not only increase the amount of honey producedbut improve and restore the habitat of the spectacledbear. Further, digital systems and online technologiesfor sales are also developed to aid in the sale of these.