Guatemala San Martin Jilotepeque

“The Asproguate farmer’s association was formed by 100 coffee producers in 2014 to market the members’ organic coffees. The association’s mission is to provide sustainable and differentiated markets for the members’ coffee, thereby promoting consistent advancement for its members. Asproguate strives for its goals of education for producers, long term buying relationships, and sustainable agricultural practices through a number of member programs. It serves an important role in the Cakchiquel and Tzutujil ethnic communities that 90% of members belong to – of all Asproguate members, 85% rely entirely on agricultural production for their income.

Asproguate holds monthly workshops in organic fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides so producers can make these essential products on their own farms. Ninety-five percent of members are organic certified so Asproguate spends a lot of their agronomy extension work on organic techniques. They also train on other agricultural practices like erosion mitigation and shade cover. There is also a social program to educate on things like gender equality, discrimination, and child labor. Fifty-five percent of producer members are women.”