From the Bean to the Cup - Nicaragua's PRODECOOP, Coffee Cooperative

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. Nicaragua has coastlines on both the Pacific and the Caribbean ocean. There is an abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems that make this country a biodiversity hot spot without any doubt. Nicaragua's capital city is Managua and about a quarter of the nation's population lives in the city, the rest in rural, mountainous and seaside areas.

Nicaragua has perfect climate for growing coffee but it faces many challenges in the chain from cultivation to selling. Most Nicaraguan coffee growers are small scale farmers who lack the technical know how or the funds to market coffees independently. Membership in a coffee cooperative is sensible and very beneficial in the long run.

PRODECOOP, the acronym for the cooperative's long name, Promotora de Desarollo Cooperativo de Las Segovias, is based in the Segovia region in northern Nicaragua. PRODECOOP was established in 1993, and includes about 40 cooperatives and more than 2,318 coffee growing families. PRODECOOP's main purpose is to provide member families with assistance in sustainable coffee production and in the marketing of the beans in the world market.
As is common with cooperatives, the money generated goes back to the members and a portion is kept to replenish common funds, buy equipment and shared facilities. PRODECOOP has its own dry mill, more than 13 de-pulping facilities and three large coffee storage warehouses.
PRODECOOP is certified for the Fair Trade market and it offers many social programs such as scholarship programs for members' children to obtain primary and secondary education. The focus is in organic production programs that improve the quality of coffee through environmentally friendly production practices.
One remarkable aspect of this cooperative is the emphasis on female participation and leadership. Interestingly, the membership has more than 504 women with several of them actively involved in senior management and one of them a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). PRODECOOP provides books, backpacks and other supplies to thousands of students whose families belong to the coop.
PRODECOOP is a leader in the organic coffee trade. Almost every member grows their coffee organically using the shade grown method or forest canopy which is very bird friendly and great for the environment.
Shade grown coffee has another benefit: improved soil conservation, reduced pollution of streams and groundwater, and the preservation of an amazing wildlife in and above the coffee trees. Coffee farmers focus on coffee production but they integrate other crops such as corn, beans, bananas and others for their own consumption or additional sales.

So, ready for a cup of delicious specialty coffee?

About this Author

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

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