Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Indians Join Organic Coffee Projects

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Feb 2 2009 (IPS) - Cultivation of organic coffee will be promoted in the Honduran municipality of La Campa, in the western department of Lempira, home to a mostly indigenous population that seeks to sell the product to Europe. Nery Reyes, mayor of La Campa, told Tierramérica that an eco-friendly plant is being planned, with resources from Italy and Germany, to process the coffee and ensure a competitive, high-quality product for the market. According to the Union of Coffee Cooperatives, for the past eight years some 600 families have been growing organic coffee in 12 Honduran departments on some 2,000 hectares.

Coffee is Honduras's main export, generating revenues of 500 million dollars per year. Coffee production is mostly in the hands of small farmers. Organic coffee has been promoted here for the past decade.