20 - Los Cachingos - Colombia 2023

Blanca Rubys Lopez Ibata, a coffee producer, resides in the Huila department, specifically in the municipality of Pitalito-Bruselas, in the El Bombonal hamlet. Her farm, named "Los Cachingos," is located at an altitude ranging from 1600 to 1700 meters above sea level.

For generations, the inhabitants of this area and my family have cultivated a majestic tree with lush green leaves and vibrant red flowers that beautify the landscape. It is said that the fall of its leaves and flowers enriches the soil with their decomposition, providing valuable nutrients to both coffee and other crops. It is for this reason that the farm was named "Los Cachingos."

From an early age, my family introduced me to the art of coffee cultivation. I learned the intricacies of planting, growing, and harvesting this valuable bean. In the past, coffee was only harvested and processed, and if prices allowed, it was dried or sold directly to the market as wet coffee.

Over time, my husband and I acquired our own farm and embarked on the adventure of cultivating a variety of fruits alongside coffee. Over the years, we came to the conclusion that coffee production was more favorable than other crops. My children and husband focused on coffee cultivation, choosing varieties resistant to pests and diseases. This has significantly reduced the need for pesticides, resulting in more abundant and, even more importantly, excellent-quality yields.

Participating in competitions like the Cup of Excellence has been a fundamental part of our journey. The results have been promising and have given us the opportunity to showcase our hard work.