ASOBAGRI was founded in 1989 by 20 K'anjob'al Mayan coffee and cardamom farmers and is located in the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala. It has grown to 614 co-operative members. Despite regional political instability and poverty, ASOBAGRI grew steadily throughout the 1990’s. The co-operative became certified by Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) in 1999. ASOBAGRI has used revenue from Fair Trade sales to:

Promote literacy - approximately 100 students from four communities participate in reading and writing workshops.

Diversify crops and income - a recent apiculture project has yielded honey that is now sold in local markets. In order to develop alternative sources of income, co-operative members have begun intercropping banana and citrus trees with coffee plants.

Support sustainable agriculture - ASOBAGRI trains agricultural promoters, who teach farmers about organic production methods such as creating compost from coffee cherry waste.

Invest in quality control - a new warehouse was recently constructed for coffee storage. The cooperative educates farmers on milling, drying, and sorting according to quality guidelines.

Support health care - ASOBAGRI has created a health care program that assists member families in covering emergency medical costs.

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(source: www.transfairusa.org)

Quick Facts

Name: ASOBAGRI

Country: Guatemala

Date Established: 1989

Members: 614 members

Social Programs:

Agricultural assistance for farmers

Health care program

Literacy program