85.36

About the farm:

The farm “Monte Cristo” located in the Mira Mar community, municipality of Sabanas, department of Madriz. Our main product is coffee; we are improving the production process each successive year using new agricultural practices - environmentally friendly, such as usage of biological products and organic fertilizers. We preserve the soil and the water springs and we do the washing manually. It is worth mentioning that we have really good relationship with the surrounding farms and communities from which we employ 100% of our workers. The farm is located in the border of the natural reserve La Patasta, between 1450 m and 1300 m above the sea level. The tree species in the area is Guaba, avocado, ticu, cedro, zopilote, nogal, carbon. All this are conditions that we consider as opportune for the production of quality coffee without forgetting the implementation of good post-harvest practices that assure that the coffee beans don’t lose their quality properties. I inherited the farm from my parents 40 years ago who also inherited it from their ancestors. From my childhood I worked in the farm which allowed me to develop good experience in coffee production. The total area is 120 mz of land (80 ha for coffee) and at present I have 20 mz with planted coffee out of which 15mz in production and 5mz in development, with an approximate production of 15-20 QQ per manzana. The varieties that I have are caturra, Bourbón, catuai Yellow y catuai rojo. I don’t have other crops.

About his family:

My family is composed of 5 members: my wife, 3 sons and myself.

What is the secret of your success?

I consider that the characteristics of the nature of the area are good for coffee production. To this I have to add that I dedicate all my time, together with my team, in the production and recollection of the coffee beans with big care in the classification and especially in the wet and dry milling.

How do you feel being a winner of the Cup of Excellence Nicaragua 2010?

For me and my family it was a big happiness, motivation and great satisfaction to have won the second place in the Cup of Excellence competition. This motivates us to continue improvement in the production of high quality coffee. I am grateful to God and to all people that work with me.

His experience in the Cup of Excellence:

I consider that the Cup of Excellence is the biggest opportunity that we have; opportunity to compete and reach a recognized rank as producers of specialty coffee on the national and international level. It allows us to gain good prices, motivating us to improve the quality of the coffee. I am grateful to the organizers of this competition.