CECOCAFEN is a cooperative organization formed by more than 2,000 small producers who, at the same time, are members of 11 cooperatives in the Matagalpa region. In the Matagalpa and Jinotega departments, the coffee has been farmed since the mid 19th century. The humid tropical climate of the region, the rich ground with volcanic origins and the lush vegetation have lead to the unique flavour of the well-known coffee.
Currently, CECOCAFEN consists of more than 2,000 members who represent more than 3,000 families that farm coffee for a living.
The main goal of CECOCAFEN is to work in the reconstruction of the country after the civil war. The organization contributes on the productive process that the families obtain in their daily work, it also facilitates the training process as well as the productive and business technical assistance. In addition, it contributes in the processing of the coffee and assures its commercialization.
The 15th October 1998, the annual meeting of Cecocafen took place. The following is a release from the Administrative Council that describes Nicaragua before the hurricane Mitch:
"Our initiative as a business organization emerges in the middle of great difficulties for the Nicaraguan farming movement, and particularly for the agriculture and pasture cooperativism. The situation reflects the deep rift between poor and rich people, which is also shown in the fact that many capitals growing in the hands of few ones, while the 82% of the Nicaraguan people live in poverty, the 44% of the population live in extremely poor conditions, only earning one dolar a day or even less, according to the recent data of the UNDP's Report about development (September 1998). In the same way, the rural sector represents a literacy rate of the 40%. The public health system has been privatized and in the hospitals, even emergency medicine is prescribed so the family has to buy them instead of having it administrated. We have got more than 500,000 young people who should be at school, but they are doing nothing instead and 260,000 who work, but have never been at school."
The economy has rised up during the last 8 years by 13%, but the Nicaraguan population has increased by 24%, which means that the income per capita has decreased by 9%. Is it development?
CECOCAFEN has done a huge effort to improve the quality of coffee. Along with a mix of lending, donations and its own funds generated thanks to Fair Trade, they could buy a processing plant for coffe in May 1999 which was called SolCafé. The members are provided with a threshing machine which allows the process of the coffee in order to obtain green beans, so they can control the quality during the whole process and increase the activities.
The most recent project of CECOCAFEN is based on the development of the ecotourism in the region, as it would be an important source of additional incomes for the farming families and at the same time, it would inform the visitors about the production of coffee and the Fair Trade. In order to increase the consciousness and the protection of the natural resources, some activities such as riding horses, going for a walk, guided visits to the coffee plantations or community activities will take place. The community's young people are excelent tourist guides, as they have broad knowledge about the local flora and fauna. Women, organized in committes, are learning how to acommodate and feed the ecotourists, so that they receive a top-quality treatment.
Products: green coffee; grinded coffee 250 grams; bean coffee Nicaragua 250 gr and 1 Kg
For more information, please feel free to visit its website: http://www.cecocafen.com/