ANEI

.Located in northern Colombia, Anei (the Association of Indigenous and Campesino Agroecological Producers of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serrania del Perija) was founded in 1995 by Aurora Izquierdo. As the first Arhuaco woman of the Yewrwa community to obtain a university degree, her goal was to organize the local indigenous and farmer economies. She used coffee as a tool to secure the future of those communities through the implementation of eco-sustainable programs and projects, strengthening organizational processes and reclaiming the social, economic, and cultural rights of members. ANEI produces high-quality organic coffee grown in harmony with, and with respect for, Mother Earth.

The Anei cooperative consists of indigenous Arahuacos, Cogis, Guiguas, Kankuamo, as well as  campesino groups among its 700+ members scattered through the southeastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Anei seeks to support indigenous cultures in the region by sustaining autonomous indigenous governance structures, supporting local “cabildos,'' and deferring leadership to local “mamos” or village elders. They also support local economies by managing community shops known as “Jwi Kakumay''.

 Growing coffee organically supports their world-view of being the “elder brothers'' of humanity and stewards of the environment, responsible for maintaining the balance of the universe. Climate change is considered a failure of the “younger brothers” (the rest of the world, known as bunachi). Their philosophy maintains that in order to bring back balance, they need to make offerings in sacred sites. Every harvest season, they ask permission from the earth to take from the earth, with a future promise to return to it.

Tasting Profile: Balanced body and acidity with brown sugar, lemon, almond and cocoa.

Asociacion de Productores Agroecologicos Indigenas y Campesinos de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta y la Serrania del Perija

Profile



Varietals Grown:

  • 35% Castillo
  • 25% Caturra
  • 20% F6
  • 10% Typica
  • 10% Bourbon

Social Premium Investment: 2021 Crop Year Fair Trade Certification guarantees 20 cents/lb of the price paid a producer organization is set aside as a social premium. How this money is invested is a decision taken collectively by the general assembly of members at the end of each harvest. Below is a break down of how producers in this organization chose to spend their fair trade premium.

40%
Community Development Devoted to rural development. Implementing workshops meetings and exchanges as well as trainings on compost and organic fertilizer production. Strategic Planning and support. Strategic planning workshop and meeting expenses. Information management tools. Acquiring machinery and other productive inputs, regional projects, income diversification and other programs to improve member well-being.
37%
Infastructure Strengthening operations and harvest control. Investment into infrastructure in order to manage product optimally, processing infrastructure, transport, pakaging, warehouse and overing the costs of financing and microcredits.
14%
Operations Strengthening communication and business development. Strengthen the organizational model throuh the consolidation of relationships. Train the team in commercial strategy and investment into promotional material to strengthen external communication. Ensuring a proper function of internal control systems and management structure, Covering costs for the implementation of sustainable norms and practices. Cover certification costs for FLO, SPP and organics.
5%
Diversification New product development. Counterparty investment into infrastructure projects.
5%
Improve Yields Purchasing equipment and other investments to improve farm productivity.