The combination of crop cultivation and organic fertilizer production has simplified the work for this Peruvian farmer, who is also saving on fertilizer purchases.
Las Lagunas, Peru.
With over four decades of experience in coffee production, Anselmo Vasquez has seen firsthand how the combination of tradition and innovation can transform a farm. In his early years, he relied on conventional methods, such as direct seeding and limited use of inputs. However, his dedication and openness to learning led him to seek new ways to improve his plants’ health and his farm’s productivity. This journey brought Anselmo to join MOCCA in 2021, and since then, he says his plantation has taken a significant turn.
With the MOCCA program, we learned how to prepare bocashi and apply pruning techniques that have made our production more efficient. Now we save on fertilizers and produce more coffee, allowing us to invest in the future of our family and farm.
Anselmo Vasquez, coffee farmer, Las Lagunas, Cajamarca, Peru.
Among the key lessons Anselmo highlights is the application of pruning techniques for rejuvenation and tissue sanitation, which have allowed his plants to maintain a manageable height, making harvesting easier and reducing issues related to pests. Additionally, the use of organic fertilizers, such as bocashi, has been a key change in the fertilization of his plants. This compost, prepared with local materials like guano, sugarcane molasses, and organic waste, has not only strengthened his coffee trees, making them more resilient, but has also increased their productivity. Thanks to bocashi, his production has increased by 20 quintals, allowing him to go from 50 quintals per harvest to more than 70.
The farmer also emphasizes that using bocashi has saved him approximately 3,000 soles per season by reducing the need to purchase commercial fertilizers.
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.
But success is not only reflected in numbers; it’s also seen in the well-being of his family. With the additional income, this small coffee grower from the Ceja de Selva region in Peru has been able to improve his home and reinvest in his farm. Moreover, his daughter, who has already joined the farm’s work, continues researching new coffee varieties better suited to their land’s conditions.
Thanks to the training provided by the MOCCA program and the support of the technical team, this coffee grower has transformed his approach to more sustainable, profitable, and resilient production. Today, he feels proud of the progress made and grateful for the support received, convinced that the knowledge acquired will be the foundation to continue improving the productivity and quality of his coffee for many years to come.
I combined the coffee plantation with pine cultivation, a technique I observed in Colombia during an internship with another organization in Chanchamayo in 2005. Since then, I’ve planted pine trees throughout the entire farm, which has yielded excellent results. The pine’s shade reduces the need for weeding, as the trees help control the growth of weeds. Additionally, I have a pine nursery from which I sell plants, generating additional income.
Anselmo Vasquez, La Lagura, Cajamarca, Peru.
