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Coffee Project
WITH THE ASOCIACIÓN CAFÉ DEL FUTURO
FROM THE JAÉN & SAN IGNACIO REGION IN PERU
ABOUT THE ASOCIACIÓN CAFÉ DEL FUTURO
PERHUSA is a Peruvian family-owned company founded in 1963. PERHUSA specializes in picking, sorting, processing, and exporting Peruvian coffee and works with producers from all coffee-growing regions of Peru.
Through PERHUSA, we were introduced to the Asociación Café del Futuro, which we visited in 2019 and have been sourcing coffee from ever since. Established in 2007, the cooperative is renowned for its exceptional coffee, featuring carefully selected varieties and a strong commitment to certified production. The farmers predominantly grow varieties such as Caturra, Bourbon, and Mundo Novo, which flourish in the high-altitude regions of Jaén and San Ignacio.
To deepen our close partnership with the Asociación Café del Futuro, it was an obvious choice for us to implement our first project in Peru with them.
BACKGROUND TO OUR INITIATIVE
In recent decades, Jaén, a region in Peru, has shifted toward coffee monoculture, resulting in a heavy dependence on food supplies from other regions to meet the local population's needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, government restrictions caused transportation costs and food prices to increase dramatically, leaving many small farming families struggling with food security. This challenge also impacted numerous farmers of the Asociación Café del Futuro.
The challenges continued into 2022, as Peru faced high inflation, a fertilizer shortage, and a sharp rise in natural gas costs due to the Russia-Ukraine war, further destabilizing the agricultural sector.
SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION FROM HOMEGROWN PRODUCTS
With a clear mission to enhance food security and encourage diversified agricultural practices, we launched an initiative in 2021 to establish 105 "Sustainable Vegetable Home Gardens."
Each family received 10 raised beds along with seeds of regional vegetables, including radish, chili, cabbage, carrot, pumpkin, onion, spinach, beets, lettuce, and cucumber. Families were also provided with essential tools such as rakes and fertilizers, as well as training and informational materials on how to set up and maintain their gardens. By August 2021, the soils were prepared, seeds were sown in September, and by December, the families were already harvesting fresh vegetables. Throughout the year, farmers received seasonal seeds and ongoing training.
To expand the impact of this initiative, we increased the number of participating smallholder families from 105 to 206 in 2022.
COMPOST MODULES FOR COFFEE FARMERS
In 2023, we advanced our efforts by equipping 206 farming families with composting modules and efficient microorganisms to accelerate the breakdown of coffee pulp and organic waste.
This initiative empowered the coffee-producing families to maintain safe and sustainable coffee and food production while improving their financial stability by eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers or external inputs. All minerals and microorganisms used were certified by national authorities for organic products.
SUSTAINABLE FERTILIZATION METHODS FOR HEALTHY SOILS
In 2024, we launched a new phase of our project aimed at promoting sustainable coffee cultivation and strengthening the economic security of 435 coffee-farming families in Jaen, Peru.
To improve food security, seeds are being distributed to 206 family gardens, enabling households to cover up to 70% of their food needs while generating additional income through the sale of surplus produce.
On the farms, 206 vetiver pools are being installed to treat and purify wastewater from coffee production, preventing contamination of clean water sources.
In addition, 229 compost modules enriched with microorganisms have been built, enhancing nutrient recycling and supporting sustainable farming practices—benefiting all 435 families.
Farmers also receive minerals produced in the PERHUSA biofactory, along with an indigenous microorganism solution that is applied throughout the different growth stages of coffee to prevent pests and promote foliar fertilization.
