This Side Up, MVO Nederland, the GPDPD, and Argote Specialty Coffee joined forces in a unique partnership to create a training hub for farmers in Nariño - one of the most affected departments in Colombia by illicit crops presence -, with whom TSU has steadily built a trustworthy relationship over the years and which is close to an illicit drug crop cultivation area. The project aimed to offer a physical space for farmers to share knowledge, learn agroecological practices, and better use digital tools. The hub also attends to different problems in the region: soil deterioration, illicit coca harvesting, and equal opportunities for women. Last December, we spoke with Juan Pablo Argote, 44, managing director of Argote Coffees, who shared with us how this project started.
Juan Pablo Argote. Photo credit: Bas Clerkx
““Since I was very young I learned that with coffee nothing is short-term. Everything is a process that takes at least two years to develop.”
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The training hub gathered four organisations with unique interests. MVO Nederland aims to assist farmers in becoming fully transparent through digital tools; TSU, a coffee importer that connects growers and roasters in a fair and short value chain, GPDPD works on behalf the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to address the challenges related to illicit drug crop cultivation and development; and Argote Coffees, a coffee producer in Nariño.
From November 2021 to March 2022, twelve capacitors gathered for the first class. The sessions included biofertilizers (how to make them, why use them); international affairs (exportation procedures and paperwork, contract signing). At a fundamental level, the TCA use and purpose was taught: why is it essential to estimate the true cost of coffee?
After one year and a half of only applying organic fertilisers to the 2,600 trees in the demo plot, next to the training hub, results become tangible. Trees maintained their productivity, and the soil became healthier. Farmers in the region see this and become curious.
Verónica Lasso Argote is the training hub manager.
How long has this centre been open?
Building began at the end of 2020 and was finished by April 2021.
What was taken into account when this space was built?
We accounted for the number of students who would attend, the space’s production and storage capacity, and we also left some space for new products. This hub was strategically built next to a coffee plantation. We did it like this so that we could use the plantation for practices. The first thing we did when this project started was to make the land entirely available to the project. We wanted to prove that organic fertiliser works, so we started by applying our product to the 2,600 trees on the plantation. We also created a vegetable plot demonstrating that organic fertilisers work on different crops. We additionally wanted to illustrate how the transition from chemical to organic fertilisers does not affect the trees.
How did the idea of the training hub come about?
When my grandfather was young and worked in coffee, everything was done organically but still needed to be done professionally. Residue from the kitchen and coffee waste were usually applied to plants, but there were no studies on the elements that could improve these fertilisers. When my grandfather died, I found some notes that my grandfather made, and I spoke with my father about the benefits organic fertilisation could give us. He resisted at first, but then he gave in. Soon after, Lennart Clerkx, This Side Up founder, told us about the soil's benefits and the commercial benefits it could provide us. This is how we decided to do something for all the producers working with both Argote and us.
Since the hub opened its doors in April, which activities have taken place?
We've worked with a group of trainers and hired an agronomist to teach various subjects. We also offer training in foreign affairs and the benefits of exporting to the international market. This group finished their course in March. We also gathered a group of students from the elementary school here in the village. This school pays special attention to coffee, and it seemed crucial to create a partnership with them. Besides this, the demo plot's positive results became visible to everyone, so farmers became interested in organic fertilisation. They approached us to learn how to make the fertiliser or were interested in buying some.
““Chemical fertilisers are like drugs for plants. When the plant starts receiving chemical fertilisers it will always ask for more. The tree will only be productive if more is provided. Organic fertilisers (on the other hand) strengthen the tree and the soil. It facilitates the production of microorganisms.”
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What challenges do you face?
The main problem we have is that the hub stays mainly closed from June to November. Most farmers are very busy since it's the harvesting season. It is tough to gather people during this time, and we aim to stay open throughout the year.
Tell me a little bit about these biofertilizers. What benefits do they have?
Well, these are formulas that are known worldwide. We adapted them a bit. What's more important is that these fertilisers are far more economical than chemical fertilisers and feed the tree and the soil. For example, a bag of 50 kilos of chemical fertiliser costs about 40 USD and is helpful for about 500 trees. With this 40 USD we can fabricate enough fertilisers for around 2,500 and make it last for about 6 months.
What are the following plans for the centre?
We'll start with a new group of producers, but we mainly aim to attract people from other regions, especially those that work with illicit crops. We aim to become an alternative for farmers working with illicit crops. This hub is a way of saying, "Don't go: It is better to stay, make biofertilizers, and work with coffee".
Can you tell me a little about the illicit crop situation in Nariño?
Although in Nariño there are crime organisations involved in drug trafficking and illicit drug crops, in Génova, there are no cartels. Some community members from this municipality work with coffee during the season and then travel to other regions to work with illicit crops. These farmers are now noticing that there are other alternatives, that they can also do their vegetable plot, and that they can support their family like this.