CENFROCAFE was created on 26 October 1999 in northern Peru. It provides many services to its members (agricultural technical assistance, organisational development, access to health services, etc.) with the objective of increasing production, improving the quality of coffee and of contributing to the well-being of its members and the development of their communities. In 2007, it obtained the Fairtrade certification.
At present, it is a cooperative with more than 3,000 families associated in 84 bases distributed in 11 networks in the provinces of Jaén, San Ignacio and Bagua.
Over the years, CENFROCAFE has distinguished itself as a promoter of sustainable development, focused on the four axes: economic, social, institutional and environmental. The development of the activities of this cooperative is based on the principles and values of democracy, social justice, equity, transparency and freedom.
From 2009 to 2012, a project was funded (208,800 euros) by the TDC to develop an integrated production and commercialisation value chain of organic fair trade coffee for the national market. Access to the internal market offered serious potential to the producers of CENFROCAFE, which developed a range of products that met the expectations of customers in various market segments. To ensure fast time-to-market of its products, the cooperative worked towards the implementation of a general commercial strategy that included targeted prospecting, organisation of events, promotional tools and, most importantly, the launch of a chain of coffee shops in the country’s major cities.
In terms of results, at the end of the project, 2,091 and 1,800 producers had increased their average revenue by 40% and 20% respectively compared to at the start of the project, going from 9,000 to 12,600 soles and from 9,000 to 10,800 soles per year.
From 2017 to 2018, a second project was planned and supported by the TDC with 62,040 euros. This project aimed to strengthen the technical-productive capacities of the young producers associated with the CENFROCAFE cooperative. This in turn would ensure productive and institutional sustainability over time, by involving young members who often seek better opportunities by migrating to the big cities and in doing so weaken daily activities developed in agriculture, in this case coffee.
- In order to increase production, centralised training workshops were held in two groups, on good agronomic practices in the management of coffee cultivation. Two centralised workshops were also held on the subject of ‘increasing productivity through a technological fertilisation package’.
- On the subject of improving the quality of Apu and Chasqui speciality coffees produced by the young members, 4 decentralised training events were held on selective harvesting and adequate post-harvesting processes. The implementation of 36 solar dryer modules was also carried out.
- Using a participatory and selective methodology, 2 young people were certified as Q Graders. To achieve this, 3 tasting modules (basic, intermediate and advanced level) were carried out with 60 young participants.
- Through a centralised event, 108 young people were trained in commercial articulation and market development. Two young project partners accompanied by a manager and administrative staff participated in the Sintercafe trade fair in Costa Rica.
