The Solution

The best solution to this is to provide a system where farmers are able to consistently sell their coffee for a fair rate, and this is exactly what Red Associations does.

Their primary focus is creating systems to ensure consistency of large lots at a community level. This in turn enables reliable, stable and improved household incomes for smallholder farmers. There are many factors which contribute to this, but some of the key projects initiatives Red Associations has undertaken in Colombia are:

• Setting up cupping labs, and focusing training towards women in the community

• Building and joining community associations, as well as investing in infrastructure and training to improve quality.

• Placing QC staff and equipment at parchment buying points to improve consistency.

• Consulting wet mill operators and producers in-person on best practices.

All of these things are essential in order to be able to make the best use of the most important resource which Red Associations provides; a place for producers to consistently sell coffee and with prices based on what coffee costs to produce and what roasters are willing to pay. Without this coffee producers are often stuck with no option other than to sell their crop below the cost of production, which can lead to an unbreakable cycle of debt.

By continuing to invest in, and returning to communities year after year, Red Associations offers a way for smallholder farmers to get the best possible return for their crop, break out of a difficult situation and operate sustainable and successful coffee farms.