Coffee production plays a crucial role in the Honduran economy and in the livelihoods of many communities. Diversification and sustainability in coffee production not only benefit farmers and the industry, but also contribute to social and economic development at the national level.
Faced with this scenario, the MOCCA program and Agroexportadores de Occidente, AGEO, announced the establishment of an alliance whose main objective is to strengthen the agricultural supply chain, with a special focus on coffee production.
The strategic alliance between AGEO and MOCCA will strengthen 1700 coffee producers with training in good agronomic practices. MOCCA will provide technical assistance, research and knowledge transfer supported by catalytic models of productive financing, while AGEO will contribute technical equipment, logistics, financial support and certifications.
“MOCCA facilitates group, individual and remote trainings that allow coffee and cocoa producers in the 6 countries in which we operate to increase their productivity, quality, sustainability and profitability. To achieve this, MOCCA establishes alliances with companies such as AGEO that have a vision of shared value and who will co-invest to train producers,” explained Ryan Bathrick, Director of MOCCA.
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.
Juan Madrid, President of AGEO, mentioned that the launch of this alliance with MOCCA marks a significant milestone in the development of the agricultural industry in western Honduras. This collaboration represents a joint commitment to strengthen and revitalize the sector, not only in terms of competitiveness and sustainability, but also in terms of socio-environmental responsibility. AGEO is proud of its approach as an AGROPARK, aimed at supporting agricultural diversification and promoting sustainable practices. During this initial stage, AGEO will focus on the consolidation of supply, the generation of value and the export of coffee and cardamom products, with the vision of becoming leaders in the regional and national market. The company is committed to ensuring fair and equal conditions for its suppliers and customers, while working closely with small-scale producers to promote socio-environmental balance and build long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect. In addition, Mr. Juan Madrid highlighted AGEO’s initiatives to promote sustainable growth, such as increasing social and environmental impact indicators, the percentage of growth in the market and crop diversification, thus demonstrating the company’s commitment to a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.
This initiative has been driven in response to the market opportunity for the supply of the main products, coffee and cardamom, given their high and growing demand. In light of the challenges facing Honduras’ agricultural sector due to climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, AGEO recognizes the dire need for organizations related to food production to take the lead and identify priorities for climate adaptation.
AGEO considers that among its environmental factors are those external conditions that directly affect the area of Corquín, Copán and its surroundings, as well as the environmental risks associated with agricultural practices in the cultivation and transformation of coffee and cardamom. Therefore, the company is committed to implementing concrete actions, such as the use of renewable technologies, the identification of environmental risks and good practices throughout the value chain, the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, and adaptation and resilience to prevent irregular migration. AGEO, also seeks to introduce policies and practices committed to sustainable development goals, such as gender equality, decent work and economic growth, through crop diversification and the empowerment of smallholders. This initiative seeks to strengthen, accompany and benefit vulnerable populations, with a focus on gender equity and inclusive economic growth.
The activities will focus on strengthening producers, increasing resilience to climate change, developing knowledge and coffee business strategies, renovating plantations, managing access to finance, and the active participation of women in all links of the chain.
Access to finance
Within MOCCA’s training program, the strengthening and development of financial knowledge is incorporated, for the management of the farm with a business vision, which allows producers to know their production costs and improve the planning of their investments.
Within the framework of this agreement, MOCCA will also have specialized personnel to search for financial allies who want to co-invest in the alliance and who can generate credit conditions under better conditions for coffee growers.
About AGEO
AGEO, through its agro-park approach, is dedicated to the production and export of various agricultural chains. The company seeks to consolidate a logistics platform that minimizes production costs and maximizes value creation. Located in Corquín, Copán, AGEO serves the western part of Honduras, prioritizing the supply of specialty coffees and cardamom.
