Gabriela Naranjo Ureña

Coopeassa

Hi, my name Gabriela Naranjo Ureña and I represent Coopeassa which is a cooperative producing a wide range of organic products including coffee and turmeric. Thanks for buying our products.

The Coopeassa was founded in 1984 when 20 local producers decided to work closely together to tackle problems and improve the living environments of their families. In the 90’s due to serious deforestation issues that Costa Rica was facing at the time, a special international project was set up to reforest around 2000 hectares with native trees. The cooperative got involved and it was this development that laid the foundations of the business culture of Coopeassa. From then on, any project that was being conducted had to always carry the environmental component.

The first developments towards organic farming practices started in 2007 and in 2010 the cooperative started producing and roasting organic coffee beans.

Interview with Gabriela

N&M: Were you always convinced that switching to organic farming practices was the right way forward?
Gabriela: To be honest, when I started organic I was sceptical as to whether we would be able to give enough nutrition to our soils. After 10 years of working with this system however, I am amazed with the results we are getting on our farms.

N&M: Looking back, what do you enjoy most?
Gabriela: Since I started organic my family and myself have been able to enjoy going together to the field and not worrying of any chemicals affecting my family.

N&M: Why are so many growers in this region farming organically?
Gabrielle: Most of the producers start organic production because they see the organic coffee plantations of their neighbours. They visit the cooperative to find out why their coffee plantations look so good and fruitful. Once they hear the reason they are convinced that organic is the way forward.

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soil

The cooperative has an integrated system, which includes intercropping. Basically it is a great example of an agroforestry system where numerous crops are integrated including coffee, banana, fruit trees, turmeric and ginger. This creates a more stable system and the labor costs of the farmer are reduced because instead of weeds that need to be cleared away we have flourishing products like turmeric and ginger. What is also important is that this way of working allows for a higher organic matter content in the soil and the agroforestry system provides important shade for our root crops like turmeric and ginger. Finally, our farmers also work with organic compost that they make from their coffee residues for example.

biodiversity

Coopeassa is using agroforestry methods and as such this forms a great ecosystem for local flora and fauna. In between the trees you can find the habitats of many different birds and mammals including toucans, wood peckers, red guacamayas and parrots. Furthermore, we see sloths and reptiles like iguanas and snakes. If you come to Costa Rica you will see lots of animals and birds.

individual

Most of the farmers are professionals that have gone to college. It therefore comes as no surprise that the cooperative also supports individual development and the obligation that all children should receive education.

society

Recently the cooperative has initiated a program surrounding organic turmeric. What it comes down to is that the production is led by woman. This makes sense as the majority of the associates linked to turmeric production are women. Through the special program we want to empower them. Furthermore, the idea is that the extra income will be used for social programs linked to the cooperative. The first project for instance would be the creation of a community centre with recreational and educational areas for kids, young adults and adults.

economy

The cooperative is a tremendous social body that basically gives a job to everybody in town. The cooperative owns a supermarket, input supply store, packing station, coffee processing plant, etc. The cooperative has created a more stable living environment for all the producers. You can see it in their homes, farms and family.

climate

Seeing that the turmeric and all the other crops are grown naturally and chemical free, there is little to no CO2 emissions during production. Furthermore, the composting process actually binds CO2 in the soil. Growing turmeric means small scale farming with lots of handwork and few machines. Our biggest CO2 emission comes from transport as our products are air freighted to Europe. Obviously, our goal is that in the coming years e can switch to ship transport.

water

Due to the fact that the Coopeassa farmers work in such a rich biodiverse farming system they are also directly and indirectly preserving water. Agroforestry systems help water systems to regenerate and keep water retention. The cooperative does not make use of irrigation systems as they receive enough rain to cultivate their crops. Due to the fact that no residues or artificial fertilizers are being used, the water in the creeks and rivers is far better protected compared to the water supply near conventional farms.

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