Nature & More Foundation

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Did you know . . . that the youngest volcano of the world lies in the area of Uruapan. Rarely do volcanologist get to watch the birth, growth, and death of a volcano. The magnificent volcano Paricutin grew out a cornfield in 1943.

Pragor

Ecological Quality

Social Quality

PRAGOR, Productores de Aguacate Organico (Producers of Organic Avocado) is a cooperative of Avocado producers, situated in the state Michoacán, Mexico.

PRAGOR is an association of 75 small producers located in 8 different municipalities. The orchards of the 75 members of the association are scattered over the volcanic area of Michoacán around the city of Uruapan. The fertile volcanic soil and the climate at around 1600 m of altitude above sea level are a perfect environment to grow avocados. Therefore the region Uruapan, 200 miles west from Mexico City, is known as “the world capital of the avocado”.

The cooperative PRAGOR was established in November 2001. It’s goal is to produce high quality organic avocados, and to promote and distribute them in the market place: The continuous improvement of organic cultivation is an integral part of the cooperative. Growers have thus an opportunity to share their experiences and to enhance their understanding of organic practices.

All PRAGOR members are considered smallholders, meaning that as rule they do not own more than 10 hectares. PRAGOR task to organize grower meetings and the logistics of the avocado harvest is comprehensive, since many of the families live in remote and difficult to reach villages.

With joint forces PRAGOR manages to improve the general living standards of the members.

Every PRAGOR member has the right to hand in a proposal regarding the social projects to be accomplished with the Fairtrade premium. Given that PRAGOR members live in 8 different municipalities (with different necessities) these proposals are of ample variety. The members have to decide, in a democratic way, how to spend the Fairtrade Funds. It has already been decided that the first funds will be used to support a centre for handicapped people in Periban. Another proposal, which is currently under investigation, is to hire a doctor who will be responsible for all PRAGOR members and their families. As the Mexican health system is very poor (and relatively expensive), such a system would be far more effective and less costly.