On February 1st, a 5 ton lot of coffee from the Cooperativa de Servicios Múltiples Bosque del Alto Mayo - Coopbam, left the port of Paita bound for Nagoya, Japan. This first sale made to Mamenoki INC, a Japanese importer, represents an important milestone in the history of men and women who implement good harvest and post-harvest practices that contribute to the conservation of the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, AMPF.
“I feel proud because we see that our efforts to cultivate and conserve are worthwhile and are recognized in various parts of the world,” said Lucy Gavidia Silva, a subscriber to the Conservation Agreements and member of the Bosque Mujer, or Women’s Forest committee, who together with other women from different committees across the protected area, collected coffee for this first shipment.
In a visit to some of these plots, Mamenoki’s general manager, Seiko Segama, shared his interest in continuing to strengthen this commercial link that originates through taking care of the soil and in benefit of local family’s wellbeing. “It is important for Japan to know the story behind the coffee that we are going to provide them,” he added.
For her part, Ivonne Paico Vera, head of AMPF, expressed her enthusiasm towards these alliances that support climate change adaptation processes based on protecting the ecosystems necessary that provide income to local populations. She also highlighted the importance of involving more and more women in these type of activities.
The container is expected to arrive in Japan by mid-March, after which it is expected to position itself favorably in the Japanese market. For Hugo Cahuapaza, senior sustainable business coordinator for Conservation International, this achievement strengthens Coopbam's collaborative work and shed light on these conservation stories, where women are increasingly taking center stage.