Women Coffee Growers (Mujeres Cafeteras) Initiative Empowers Women in Coffee Industry
In a significant gathering held yesterday, the “Harvesting Sustainability: A Colombian Coffee Experience” event was hosted by the Victoria Arduino Expertise Center in collaboration with the Juan Valdez Colombian coffee chain. The event, aimed at discussing the sustainability of coffee cultivation in Colombia and the challenges facing this sector, was attended by key industry stakeholders. Juanita Hernandez, an expert in Hospitality, F&B Brand Management, Marketing, and Events at Juan Valdez MENA in Dubai, UAE, addressed the audience, highlighting the remarkable achievements of the Women Coffee Growers (Mujeres Cafeteras) initiative.
The Women Coffee Growers (Mujeres Cafeteras) initiative, launched in 2017, has been pivotal in promoting the social and economic empowerment of women coffee growers through the commercialization of their coffee. The program encourages best practices, associativity, and environmental care with a strong focus on gender equity.
Key Achievements:
- Organizational Empowerment:
Juanita Hernandez emphasized the initiative’s role in strengthening the participation of women in their families, communities, and associations. The program has successfully diversified income sources by providing training in community-based tourism for 28 women coffee growers. Furthermore, 198 women have received financial education from DID Profem, promoting their economic and social empowerment.
- Gender Equality:
The initiative has developed an action plan focused on closing the gender gap through workshops with a family approach, benefiting more than 80 women. Additionally, 24 women in Tolima achieved 4C AD-ON certification in gender equity, showcasing the program’s commitment to fostering equality.
- Productivity Enhancements:
To boost productivity, the initiative has renewed 59,763 coffee trees in Viotá, Cundinamarca. This competitive advantage in productivity has significantly contributed to the program’s success.
- Environmental Management:
A notable achievement of the Women Coffee Growers initiative is the reduction of water consumption by over 90% in production processes. The construction of pulp processors has provided adequate management of coffee wastewater. Moreover, over 40 women in Tolima have been awarded diplomas in environmental management, underscoring the initiative’s dedication to sustainability.
- Quality and Profitability:
Continuous analysis of the coffee’s quality has been conducted to identify potential improvements and increase profitability. The performance factor has seen an impressive increase from 90.8 to 87 on average, highlighting the initiative’s effectiveness.
Since its establishment as a permanent product in 2021, Mujeres Cafeteras has positioned itself among the best-selling origin coffees in the brand’s channels and supermarkets, representing 16% of total sales. The product’s international expansion has reached over 10 countries, including the United States, Egypt, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, Romania, Argentina, Costa Rica, Türkiye, Paraguay, Salvador, Aruba, Peru, and the UAE.
During her speech, Juanita Hernandez highlighted the profound impact of the Women Coffee Growers initiative on the global coffee industry. She stated, “This initiative not only empowers women but also sets a new standard in coffee production, emphasizing sustainability, quality, and gender equity. The success of Mujeres Cafeteras is a testament to the hard work and dedication of women coffee growers.”
Juanita also described the unique characteristics of the coffee produced by the Mujeres Cafeteras initiative: “Our coffee offers a medium acidity, a balanced body, and an intense fragrance. The cup profile is well-balanced, featuring delightful notes of blackberry and sweet caramel. These qualities reflect the meticulous care and expertise that our women coffee growers put into every batch.”
- Future Prospects:
The initiative continues to evolve, with plans to expand its reach and further enhance its impact. The commitment to environmental sustainability, gender equality, and quality improvement remains at the core of its mission. The ongoing support and collaboration with international partners play a crucial role in achieving these goals.
The Women Coffee Growers (Mujeres Cafeteras) initiative stands as a beacon of progress in the coffee industry. By promoting social and economic empowerment, enhancing productivity, and championing environmental sustainability, the program is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable coffee sector. The success stories shared at the “Harvesting Sustainability: A Colombian Coffee Experience” event underscore the initiative’s significant contributions and the promising future ahead.
