Asociacionde Productores Organicos “Nuevo Futuro”

Nuevo Futuro is a small primary co-operative in the Cauca province of Colombia. With the demand for organic coffee continuing to grow, it has additional land in organic transition. The co-operative was initially set up as a coca substitution project based on the higher incomes sustainable from organic coffee. The small farms also grow maize, beans, sugar cane and yuca for home use.

In 1996 they expanded their field of activity to the communities Argelia, La Vega and Buenos Aires. In February 2000, 48 new producers of the communities (Sotara, Timbio, Santander de Quilichao, Tambo and Payan) were officially affiliated to the organic coffee project ANF. This was caused by the drop-off in prices on the home market, and the increased cost of production. At the moment ANF consists of 140 farmer families from nine communities. All together they form the Asociacion Nuevo Futuro. 

Training and technical support for the producers is provided by a group of "promoters" who are also in charge of the documentation of internal control. From 2001 they have also been encouraging the rearing of guinea pigs and the sowing of new coffee. 

Investing Wisely

Since 1996 the union has had a joint fund. Within the framework of the further development of agriculture and the people, this is a kind of methodological tool to encourage the producers to invest. These investments should improve the finances and the living conditions of the family. 

The loans from the joint fund are repaid annually with the distribution of the premiums, so that at the end of the harvest there are new resources to invest in the improvement of the finca (farm). 

An Independent Alternative

It is difficult avoiding the fact that Colombia is both a divided country and a source of two thirds of the world market for coca leaf, the raw material for the drug cocaine.

Highly organised politically motivated leftists (FARC) control much of the country under recently negotiated peace agreements while privately financed militias (AUC) fight back. In a national economy financed by drug incomes, the government is subsidised by huge amounts of US military Aid being used to fight coca growing and cocaine production. Many small-scale farmers are caught up in this political economy with few alternative options for income security. This co-operative offers one such independent alternative.

Organic Agriculture

Nuevo Futuro trains its members to use organic methods of agriculture including organic composting and legume growing to increase soil fertility and permitted liquid preparations to control pests. 

On a small scale all members breed livestock (cattle, pigs, chickens, guinea pigs) in order to use the dung to fertilise the coffee plants.

What Type of Coffee

Typical fine Colombian Excelso beans with smooth and well-balanced flavours. Nuevo Futuro are also trying to enter the home market with the brand name "Cafe Organico Nuevo Futuro”.