87.07

Overview

Located in the municipality of Belen Gualcho, Ocotepeque, because after trying with different crops and not being able to succeed, Coffee was the crop that gave Renan the results he desired, Gualcho in the Lenca dialect means Abundance of water and oaks. The varieties grown are pacas, catuai, and indian(native) coffee, the method for cleaning the area is with machete and he never uses herbicides because they harm the health and contaminate the environment. It also eliminates beneficial insects within the coffee plantation, the growing coffee are of 2.1 hectares, with an average of 9,000 coffee shrubs. Inside the farm there are trees of different species such as oaks, liquidambar and pine trees. A great variety of animals can be sighted too by those who visit the farm such as willows, pigeons, parrots, squirrels, ocelots, sparrows. The only means of access to the farm for collecting the harvest is by horseback. The production can get to be up to 60 sacks. The earnings of the farm are invested in the family education, and nutrition, as well as the management of the farm. Due to the soils natural fertility we are avoiding using chemical fertilizers, and they have learnt to use organic products which are very effective if applied correctly. This has brought an economic relief to our family. Renan used to sell his coffee to the local buyers that were not interested in quality coffee. Now he learnt to obtain better quality through institutions such as Ihcafe and the coffee cooperatives. Now we sell to COCAFELOL Coffee Cooperative, meeting the quality standards that allow him to obtain better prices. And through certification programs he has learnt to grow coffee and care for the environment at the same time. Now he is more conscientious of protecting water sources, forests, and anything that contributes to life in general. Coordinates: 14°29?N 88°48?W? / ?14.483°N 88.8°W? / 14.483; -88.8 This small village founded in 1715 is a jewel in the middle of the Honduran mounts located in the departamento of Ocopetepeque and close to Gracias and San Sebastian to the south. The highlights of the village is the colonial Church of La Trinidad and Sunday Market where the Lenca people comes to sale and get basic supplies.