Behind every compelling project is a set of decisions that shape outcomes. This business lens breaks down the operational side of the story, highlighting how strategy and execution align to create lasting value. It’s where impact meets infrastructure and where good ideas become working models.
Problem and Approach
Problem and Approach
Years of intensive farming and erratic weather patterns had eroded the topsoil, reducing coffee yields and weakening the economic foundation of local farming communities. The challenge wasn’t just environmental, but economic too, declining productivity meant less income and reduced food security for families who rely on the land.
The cooperative introduced a structured agroforestry system, intercropping coffee with over 10,000 trees including fruit species (papaya, avocado, passionfruit) and nitrogen-fixers (Calliandra, Polyscias). The system was co-developed by local leadership and external agronomists, ensuring it was both ecologically sound and grounded in local realities.
Rather than treating coffee as a monoculture, the farm became a diversified, resilient ecosystem.
The cooperative introduced a structured agroforestry system, intercropping coffee with over 10,000 trees including fruit species (papaya, avocado, passionfruit) and nitrogen-fixers (Calliandra, Polyscias). The system was co-developed by local leadership and external agronomists, ensuring it was both ecologically sound and grounded in local realities.
Rather than treating coffee as a monoculture, the farm became a diversified, resilient ecosystem.
Budget
Budget
The project was executed with a modest investment of €8,652. This covered essential infrastructure, tools for land preparation, wages for farm labor, seedlings for all plant species and expert agronomy guidance. The budget’s clarity and transparency make it easier to replicate or scale in other regions, reinforcing its utility as a model.
Value Created
Value Created
The shift to agroforestry brought multiple layers of value. Soil quality improved, reducing the need for external inputs. Shade and biodiversity supported healthier coffee plants and better yields. Fruit trees added food security and income diversification. Importantly, these benefits came without compromising the core function of the land: coffee production remained intact and potentially improved over time.
Scalability
Scalability
Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all template, the cooperative chose to develop a single, functional demonstration plot. This created a low-risk, high-visibility model for others to observe in real conditions. Through ten farmer field schools, over 150 farmers now visit and learn from the site, seeing firsthand how regenerative methods perform season after season.