GCP and OIRSA Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Propel Coffee Farmer Prosperity Across Latin America
In a historic move to fortify the resilience and prosperity of coffee farmers in Latin America, the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) and the Regional International Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) have formalized a partnership through a letter of understanding. The agreement sets the stage for a robust technical and administrative collaboration within the member countries of OIRSA, paving the way for joint initiatives and programs aimed at fostering sustainable coffee cultivation.
The virtual signing ceremony, held on November 29, brought together key representatives from the GCP Secretariat, GCP Honduras, and OIRSA. The partnership’s primary objective is to catalyze the widespread adoption of integrated management practices in coffee cultivation across the nine OIRSA member countries: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
To tackle systemic challenges plaguing coffee farms, communities, and ecosystems, the collaborative efforts will concentrate on facilitating access to educational resources, technology, and incentives for producers. The partners also intend to implement comprehensive monitoring mechanisms throughout the coffee supply chain, fostering the adoption of sustainable practices, with a particular emphasis on the responsible use of agrochemicals.
Annette Pensel, the Executive Director of GCP, expressed her optimism about the collaboration, stating, “GCP considers the formalization of this collaboration to be an excellent opportunity.” She highlighted the importance of addressing challenges related to the responsible use of agrochemicals and integrated pest management to enhance agronomic productivity in coffee growing.
OIRSA, an international organization dedicated to supporting healthy agricultural production, quarantine system strengthening, food safety, and sustainable development, has actively managed pests such as the Coffee Berry Borer. This pest has forced excessive pesticide use in many instances to sustain coffee productivity.
Pensel underscored the significance of OIRSA’s expertise in tackling these challenges, stating, “We see OIRSA’s expertise in these topics as essential to contribute to practical and measurable solutions towards reaching our 2030 goal and beyond.”
Raúl Rodas, Executive Director of OIRSA, expressed the organization’s unwavering commitment to the partnership, emphasizing the strategic and fundamental role of the coffee sector in the socioeconomic development of many communities. “The coffee sector needs and deserves it because the socioeconomic impact coffee has in our regions is strategic and fundamental for many communities,” Rodas affirmed.
The initial phase of cooperation will unfold in Honduras, where OIRSA will play a pivotal role as a key partner for GCP. Collaborating with the Plataforma de Café Sostenible de Honduras (PCSH), the Honduras Sustainable Coffee Platform, and implementing the GCP Country Plan for Farmer Prosperity, the partnership aims to address critical issues such as the responsible use of agrochemicals.
Guillermo Alvarado, GCP Program Manager Honduras, expressed enthusiasm about OIRSA’s participation, stating, “We are delighted and envision a very fruitful alliance.” Alvarado emphasized the indispensable role of such collaborations in shaping the future of regions heavily reliant on coffee cultivation.
Rodas concluded, “Without coffee, there is no tomorrow, and this is true for the future of many communities, of huge regions of Honduras and Central America, who literally make their living off coffee.” The sentiment underscores the urgency and gravity of the partnership’s mission to propel the coffee sector toward a sustainable and prosperous future, ensuring the livelihoods of countless communities across Latin America.
