The cooperative Aprolma (Asociacion de Productoras Libres de Marcala) was founded in 2013 and currently has 69 exclusively female members, mainly indigenous Lencas. Each member cultivates an average of 1.5 hectares in mixed cultivation. In addition to coffee, other products such as bananas, oranges and yucca are grown to feed the family. The aim of the cooperative is not only to produce the very best coffee, but also to empower women and to offer them financial success and stability. Three times a year, all women meet to discuss the current situation, elect board members or plan projects.
In a country where women’s rights are constantly being disregarded and which has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, a women’s cooperative is particularly concerned with health and social issues. Like many other cooperatives around Marcala, Aprolma has a central processing plant where the harvested coffee cherries are delivered and then processed together. When the coffee cherries are delivered, the women receive a first partial payment. That’s why our pre-financing is so important.
Altitude: 1,200 – 1,700 meters
Region: Marcala, Chinacla and San Jose
Varieties: Catuai, Bourbon, Typica, Lempira
Processing: Arabica, washed, manual harvest and sorting
Website: www.facebook.com/APROLMA/
