Improving the resilience of young coffee farmers through the production and sale of dehydrated coffee pulp

Project Details

This 12 month project was delivered in partnership with CACVI, a coffee producing co-operative located in the Southern Highlands of Peru.

At CACVI, many farmers rely on coffee production as their only source of income. Access to training and finance are barriers to diversifying into alternative activities to increase household income and improve their living conditions.

This project increased the income of 58 young coffee farmers across 11 zonal committees in the district of Inkawasi. All farmers were members of CACVI’s Youth Committee. Previously, the farmers had an average monthly income of 1,125 PEN (£240) from the sale of coffee which is insufficient to meet all the needs of their household.

Through the provision of training and equipment, the young farmers produced dehydrated coffee pulp from the by-product of their coffee production, therefore reducing the waste generated by coffee production and increasing their income. 

Coffee pulp is a by-product obtained from the wet processing of coffee, representing up to 40% of the fruit’s weight. Incorrect disposal of coffee pulp poses environmental threats as it can pollute water sources and farmland.

As part of this project, the youth committee were supported to establish their own dehydrated coffee pulp business. They received training in coffee pulp processing and the necessary equipment and materials. In addition, an existing building was converted into a laboratory to implement quality control checks.

As part of this project, CACVI established a centre for quality control to ensure the dehydrated pulp they produce is of high quality to meet the demands of the export market.

The project also built the in-house capacity of CACVI so they could export independently in the near future, ensuring sustainability.

Project Impacts

Following the first production cycle, 6,000 kg of pulp was produced and sold to one export buyer and one local buyer, Sales totalled £11,297.

Susanna Huamān Choque, project participant, said:

“Previously, we used pulp to make compost; however, through the project we learned to give it another value as dehydrated pulp. Since this was my first time doing this activity, I delivered 3 bags of 25 kilos each to the Cooperative. This year, I will try to produce more pulp”. 

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We hope you enjoyed learning about this Shared Interest Foundation project.

Since 2004, thanks to our incredible supporters, Shared Interest Foundation has delivered 51 projects in 15 countries, reaching over 13,000 farmers and artisans. 

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If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to speak with a member of the Foundation team via email here.