Farm info

Nestled in the communities of Mendosayoc and Juyhuay in the Lacco Valley, where the Andes gradually descend into the Amazon rainforest, a story of resilience, learning, and leadership is unfolding. Here, within Quechua communities that have cultivated coffee for more than 50 years, a group of women producers is reshaping their role in the specialty coffee value chain. 

This lot comes from the Women Producers Group of Orígenes, a collective formed in 2022 to strengthen women’s participation, technical leadership, and economic visibility within the cooperative. Representing 53 associated women from several member communities, six producers came together to craft this lot. Like many farmers in the region, they manage coffee production while balancing household and community responsibilities, yet through this group they have created a space for shared decision-making, experimentation, and collective growth. 

Although coffee farming has long been part of the region’s agricultural landscape, the cooperative itself began operating in 2021 and was officially constituted in April 2022. Since then, farmers have increased production by an average of 10% annually, accompanied by an 11% rise in income. Within this transformation, women have emerged as a driving force, strengthening their role in farm management, quality decisions, and the development of differentiated coffees. 

Their farms span approximately 9.5 hectares and are managed within sustainable agroforestry systems that integrate coffee cultivation with the rich biodiversity of the Tropical Andes. The region forms part of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, where high altitudes, abundant rainfall, and cool temperatures create ideal conditions for specialty coffee production. 

While the area has traditionally produced classic washed coffees, the Women Producers Group began experimenting with new processing techniques through hands-on training and peer learning facilitated by the cooperative. Building on their traditional knowledge, they adopted a double fermentation anaerobic washed process that has helped elevate both cup quality and consistency.

This lot is processed as an anaerobic washed coffee using a double-fermentation protocol. Prior to pulping, the coffee is sealed in GrainPro bags for a 72-hour anaerobic fermentation, followed by pulping and a 48-hour wet fermentation in ceramic washing tanks. Drying is carried out on raised beds under close monitoring until stable moisture is achieved. 

Supported by the Andean Alliance for Sustainable Development, the cooperative has prioritized sustainability throughout the value chain. Demonstration farms across the region showcase agroforestry techniques that promote biodiversity conservation, efficient water use, and increased organic production. These efforts highlight coffee potential as a sustainable land-use crop while protecting the ecological richness of the Tropical Andes. 

Working through the Women Producers Group has had a measurable impact on quality, income, and leadership within the cooperative. Participation in differentiated lots has expanded women’s influence over production decisions and access to premiums, while the collaborative learning model has helped spread best practices among members. 

More than coffee, this lot represents a moment of transition, where technical innovation, cultural heritage, and collective organization converge. It reflects the legacy of Quechua farming traditions while supporting a more equitable distribution of value at origin. Each cup tells a story of biocultural diversity, shared knowledge, and the women of Mendosayoc and Juyhuay who are shaping the future of their communities through coffee.

Group participants: 
Juyhuay – Francisca Puma Olave
Mendosayoc – Luz Marina Huaman Gutiérrez
Umapata – Silveria Espinoza Almirón
Hualla – Rosario Gutiérrez Hancco
Suyo – Victoria Antaccasa Ramos
Yuracmayu – María Quispe Cabeza
Teleban – Melchora Quispe Quispe
Ichiu – Lidia Yupanqui Cardenas
Otocani – Glorinda Sullca Quispe