- In the department of Ahuachapán, El Salvador, coffee producer Luis González increased his productivity by 50%.
Since he was a child, Luis González knew that coffee would be a fundamental part of his life. His parents were also coffee farmers and Luis grew up with a deep love for the cultivation. In addition to coffee, he grows basic grains and practices beekeeping, an activity that began with just 2 hives and has grown exponentially to reach 75 today.
In 2012, Luis took a big step by purchasing an 11-hectare farm. However, the following years were not easy. Rust, a devastating disease for coffee plantations, severely affected his production. Despite the challenges, his determination led him to seek solutions.
In 2021, he joined the MOCCA program, where he found the technical support and tools necessary to transform his farm. Through the implementation of good agricultural practices, such as pruning techniques and the use of biofertilizers, Luis revitalized his cultivation.
“I am very happy because my coffee production is increasing! In the 2021-2022 harvest, my production was 80 quintals and in 2023-2024 I harvested 120 quintals,” says Luis enthusiastically.
“Thanks to the recommendations of the MOCCA technician, I implemented mechanization with a motor pump. This has been key to optimizing resources,” he explains. Before, he needed 12 barrels of fertilizer to cover his 11 manzanas of coffee plantations; now he only needs 4. In addition, the time spent on these tasks was reduced from six days to just one, representing a significant saving in labor.
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.
Luis’ commitment to sustainability is not limited to his own benefit. His farm is now a demonstration plot where, with the technical assistance of MOCCA, a group of 20 coffee producers from his community and nearby areas receive monthly training in good agricultural practices.
In training, Gonzalez has learned to make biofertilizers from organic materials, including bamboo grown on his farm. This approach has resulted in a 73% reduction in fertilization costs, allowing Luis to invest in other areas of his farm. “Coffee is not just a livelihood; it is a legacy that we must take care of for future generations,” he reflects.
