Guatemala El Guaya’b - Manos de Mujer

Regional Details

There are plenty of obstacles to cultivating and exporting coffee from the department of Huehuetenango.  The terrain is rugged and the weather is extreme.  But coffee grows well here, and 634 families with farms that average just a few acres in size work together through a cooperative called Guaya’b Asociación Civil (GUAYA’B) to overcome the obstacles.  This particular lot is traceable to 115 women who participate in the Manos de Mujer certification program.

Processing Details

GUAYA’B has an established centralized wet-mill equipped with environmental controls to return water to the environment free of contamination.  The mill is a central piece to supporting farmers with small farms because it reduces their burden of investing in processing equipment and maintenance.  The mill also provides consistent processing protocols that result in higher quality community lots.  At the mill, farmers deliver their cherries each day where they are floated to remove damaged and under ripe fruit. Next the cherries are depulped and fermented for 36 to 48 hours, then washed and classified by density in channels of water, and dried to 11 percent moisture on patios in the sun.  The result is a vibrant regional profile ensuring greater earnings for women producers.

Cooperative Details

In addition to a centralized mill, GUAYA’B helps farmers overcome other obstacles with training on organic practices to meet certification standards.  GUAYA’B provides members with access to micro-financing to ensure investments in year-round farm maintenance and periodic renovations.  GUAYA’B also provides technical assistance, which includes soil analysis and training on organic fertilizer production.  During the harvest, GUAYA’B has established a childcare service so parents have a safe place for their children to learn while they pick coffee.