LOT# 22

Farm: EL DURAZNO

Farmer: María Santos Funez

Farm’s name and location:

El Durazno farm is located in Cilca community in the municipality of La Paz, Department of La Paz. It has an altitude of 1510 meters above sea level.

What is your farm’s history? Is your farm a family unit? How long has it belonged to your family? How many members make up your family?

My family is Coffee grower long time ago. I bought my winner coffee farm six year ago and we planted with coffee four year ago with Lempira variety, my son helps me to manage my farm and we have close family that work with us in different activities.

How many persons work in your farm, family members, permanent employees and temporary employees?

My son is in charge of the most the activities of the farm because he is a full time coffee grower, we involved close family to make the weeding and harvesting activities, but they receive a payment for this. Even that we have to hire 10 people locally to help during the harvest season.

What natural resources conservation practices do you follow in the farm?

We have planted some trees in the boundaries of the farm.

What is the shade percentage and the varieties found in your farm?  

It has a few shade because the farm is new but we recently planted timber trees for shade.

What type of fertilization process and rust control do you use in your farm?

We don’t use chemical fertilizers. We do organic fertilization twice a year with a combination of chicken manure, coffee pulp and compost from the waste of the other crops.

What type of management do you use in your farm (traditional, semi-technical, and technical?) Traditional

Are you part of an association or cooperative?

No, I am a single producer.

What is the secret for winning this competition (describe the preparation process of the competing lot)?

We usually pick just ripe cherries, which is essential to get a high quality coffee. We pick the cherries in the mornings and in the afternoons we do the wet milling process, the fermentation takes 16 hours. Then we wash the coffee with clean water and we classify the grains eliminating the damaged and light ones. We dry the coffee for 15 days or more in solar driers.

How does it feel to be a winner of the Cup of Excellence?

I am happy to be a winner because I now it isn’t easy to win this competition. It is great to be able to assist the farm and keep harvesting quality coffee and improve my family’s way of life.

Who prepares your coffee for exportation? (Explain how you sell it and to whom)?

I useally sell only to intermediaries (middlemen).

What is your opinion of the Cup of Excellence?

Good, it is the best way to meet international buyers. This year I met my last year buyer and it was exciting.

What has been your experience in the Cup of Excellence?

It is my second year in COE, last year I was a National Winner.