Case study:
COOMCAFE R Cooperative, Nicaragua
The Marsellesa variety of coffee plant was created out of a thorough process of selection in Nicaraguan farms under the coordination and supervision of CIRAD & Exportadora Atlantic SA. Commercial plots were implemented so that producers could compare yield, productivity and quality to existing varieties in their farms.
Marsellesa is more developed than Caturra or Catuai. It is resistant to rust and the fall of ripened beans due to rains. The ripening is more homogeneous and the quality is similar or higher than Caturra under good management.
The cooperative COOMCAFE R (Cooperativa Multisectorial Café de Altura) has been working with ECOM Nicaragua for the past four crops. They are working in 24 communities in the department of San Rafael del Norte in the north of Jinotega Region to produce high-quality coffee.
They re-invested part of their profit and social premium in a state-of-the-art nursery. They planted 100% of Marsellesa, with SMS providing them with technical assistance to build and develop the nursery. Producing 80,000 plants, the cooperative replanted and renovated over 30 hectares, thereby strengthening crops for the long term.