The program has directly benefited more than 40,000 small farmers in Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Huila, Nariño and Santander, and indirectly improved the quality of life of more than 150,000 people.
To date, Colombian coffee growers account for nearly 65% of producers associated with the AAA program around the globe. At the end of 2013, 84% of Nespresso coffee purchases complied with the AAA standards.
In 2012, the Federation and Nespresso signed a memorandum of understanding in which they pledged to invest $85 million over five years (of which Nespresso will fund 10 million annually between 2012 and 2017).
The Swiss company’s contributions are used to provide farmers with premiums (75%) while the remaining 25% goes to strengthening technical assistance and programs to improve quality, productivity and sustainability on farms and in communities.
The resources provided by Nespresso are complemented by $35 million from the FNC’s own investments, producers and other partners in the public and private sectors.
All in all, the program has become one of the highest impact projects in terms of sustainability in the Colombian coffee sector.
Source: press release
