- In the department of El Paraíso (Honduras), coffee grower Delfa Mondragón increased her productivity by 60% by implementing practices for managing plant tissues and organic fertilizers in her plantation.
- In partnership with the Montecristo Coffee Processing Plant S.A. (Becamo), technical assistance is provided to more than 4,900 coffee growers in Honduras.
At 70 years old, Delfa Mondragón, a coffee producer from Danlí, El Paraíso, Honduras, stands out as an inspiring figure. Although her family’s tradition had always been linked to coffee cultivation, in 2008 Delfa began her own farm, challenging the gender expectations prevalent in her community.
For Delfa, a widow and mother of 8 children, coffee farming is not just a means of livelihood, but a passion that connects her deeply with nature. “Being in contact with nature fills me with life and energy,” she says with a smile as she looks out at the mountains covered in coffee plants.
Despite her enthusiasm, Delfa faced numerous challenges. Pests, plant diseases, lack of labor, and the effects of climate change threatened her harvests year after year. But Delfa did not give up. Her determination to improve production and take care of her farm led her to seek new ways to learn and adapt.
In August 2022, Delfa joined the MOCCA program’s training sessions with the mission of acquiring new knowledge and techniques to improve her 6-manzana coffee plantation, of which 3 are in production and the remaining 3 are being renovated.
MOCCA is a 7-year initiative funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Food for Progress Program, which seeks to improve agricultural productivity and expand trade in agricultural products. The MOCCA project is being executed by a consortium led by TechnoServe. Lutheran World Relief leads the cocoa activities.
In August 2022, Delfa joined the MOCCA program’s training sessions with the mission of acquiring new knowledge and techniques to improve her 6-manzana coffee plantation, of which 3 are in production and the remaining 3 are being renovated.
“In the MOCCA training, I learned techniques like plant tissue management and making organic fertilizers. In just a few years, I went from producing 60 quintals of coffee (20 quintals per manzana) to producing 100 quintals (about 33 quintals per manzana), an increase that not only improved my productivity but also my income,” says Delfa Mondragón.
Becamo: Financing to Boost Coffee Farm Renovation and Rehabilitation
Becamo established a partnership with MOCCA, through which more than 4,900 coffee producers (32% women) have been trained to increase their productivity, quality, and profitability. At the same time, Becamo has made financing available to producers in their supply chain for:
- Purchasing inputs
- Paying labor
- Acquiring equipment for coffee processing
- Renovating coffee farms
“In 2023, they gave me a loan of 10,000 Lempiras (USD $400). It was a great help because I used the money to invest in fertilizers for my coffee farm,” Delfa says.
Although women in her community have traditionally been relegated to household care and child-rearing, Delfa chose a different path. Her bravery and determination have made her an example for other women, including her own daughters, who are now also involved in coffee production.
Moreover, Delfa seizes every opportunity to share the knowledge she has gained with other neighboring producers, helping them face the same challenges she once faced. “Everyone in my community deserves the opportunity to improve. If I can do it, so can they,” she says.
Today, Delfa Mondragón is not only a successful producer but also a symbol of perseverance and overcoming adversity. Her story is a testament to the power of education and continuous effort to transform lives—both her own and those around her. And as Delfa continues to work her land with the same passion she had years ago, she is determined to keep learning and growing, knowing that the legacy she leaves goes beyond a farm: it is a life lesson for her entire community.
