THE PRESIDIUM FARMERS |
|
| The Huehuetenango Coffee Presidium Project involves roughly 150 small coffee growers through local cooperatives in three different highland communities: San Pedro Necta, La Libertad, and Todos Santos Cuchumatán (see map). The growers include ladino producers, women producers, and Mam indigenous producers. They cultivate at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 meters (5,000 to 6,500 feet) above sea level on small plots between one and ten acres in size. Much of the production is done by hand, and many of the producers have grown and produced coffee all of their lives. | |
SAN PEDRO NECTA |
|
 |
|
The 84 Presidium growers of San Pedro Necta are represented by two different cooperative associations: ASASAPNE (Asociación de Agricultores "El Esfuerzo" San Pedro Necta -- Association of Growers "The Force") and ASODESI (Asociación para el Desarrollo Integral de San Pedro Necta -- Association for Integral Development). The two associations are working together to find new markets for the Presidium coffee and to provide information, technical advice, and small loans to their growers. * MEET THE GROWERS OF SAN PEDRO*
|
|
LA LIBERTAD |
|
 |
|
La Libertad is a town perched at 1,900 meters (6234 feet) with breathtaking views. The 30 Presidium producers of La Libertad are organized by the local Cooperativa Esquipulas, which works with its members to improve the quality of their coffee. The cooperative also provides health, savings, and credit services to the community. * MEET THE GROWERS OF LA LIBERTAD*
|
|
TODOS SANTOS CUCHUMATÁN |
|
 |
|
Todos Santos is hidden amongst the highest mountains of Central America and draws tourists from all over the globe who come to marvel at the imposing landscape as well as the vibrant local culture. Most notable is the traditional dress, which is still woven on backstrap looms and which the local Mam indigenous population continues to wear with pride. It is our hope that the highland coffee of Todos Santos will someday be as widely-prized as fine textiles of the region. The 36 Presidium producers of Todos Santos are organized through the local organization ADINUT (Asociación de Desarrollo Integral Unión Todosantera -- Association of Integral Development, Union of Todos Santos). *MEET THE GROWERS OF TODOS SANTOS*
|
|
|
|