News from Nicaragua, August 15th 2019
http://www.nicaraguasc.org.uk/news/article/389/fairtrade-helps-farmers-…
The Urbina family live in the community of Las Escaleras in the Department of Matagalpa where they have seven hectares of land called Finca Los Pinos. Under the canopy of hardwood and pine trees, the family grows Fairtrade coffee, cocoa, maize, beans, and a very diverse variety of vegetables, fruit and ornamental plants.
Biodiversity: A range of plants, trees and bushes of different heights
protects the environment, and creates the conditions for
producing high quality arabica coffee, fruit and vegetables.
They are part of the Carlos Fonseca Amador co-operative which has 56 members. The co-operative in turn is one of the 11 co-operatives that make up the umbrella organisation CECOCAFEN.
Selling their coffee through Fairtrade provides a more secure income for the family enabling them to protect the environment and take measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Mutual solidarity through ecotourism: The Urbina family hosts international visitors providing them with an opportunity to gain an understanding of rural life and Fairtrade, and to exchange information, ideas and friendship.
A family of sloths lives in the trees that shade the coffee
Diversifying income sources: cocoa growing among the coffee bushes
Maize is a staple food crop
Your next year's Fairtrade coffee is a haven for wildlife
Nursery of coffee plants in the shade of banana palms
Farmer Julio Urbina, coffee growing in the shade of tropical hard woods and pine trees.