COLOMBIA
Starbucks has a new plan to support Colombian coffee growers. Working with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the retail giant intends to train and support 1,000 farmers in areas battered by political conflict.
After 50 years of violence and insurgency, the Colombian government made peace with its primary rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly known as FARC. During the conflict, many farmers were forced to grow coca leaves for cocaine production. With peace, they now can grow coffee instead.
The Starbucks-USAID plan calls for farmers in the former conflict zones to receive training in agriculture and climate resiliency programs. They also will get access to new technology to help them operate their farms. In addition, a $4 million farmer loan initiative will support 2,000 farmers, primarily women.
“To say, ‘We are going to quit growing coca leaves and produce coffee’ – that’s huge,” said Alfredo Nuno, who leads the Starbucks Farmer Support Center in Manizales, Colombia. “They will gain in their own tranquility and self-esteem and won’t be bound to blackmail and pressure.”