84.50

Machacamarca BV History Speaking with Maria Nina Lupe del Rosario Andrade Salmon is to learn a bit about the history of Bolivia as her faro has grown coffee since the 1940s. “In the 1960s,” commented Maria Nina, “we stopped growing coffee as it had become more expensive to produce it than what we could sell it for. But we began again just over seven years ago, recovering the coffee farms.” Currently she has a nursery with 3000 plants to increase production and be able to present a greater offer for export. “This is the first year I have participated in one of these competitions. In truth my dream is that this area can recover its ecological balance and coffee production is a great way to this because we don’t get rid of the vegetative covering, we don’t cut down trees, and competitions like the Cup of Excellence are a great way to motivate producers.” With time Maria Nina would like to have a manageable coffee farm and is working to grown it slowly. “Currently, my brother, my four children and five grandchildren are working for this ideal. We also plan to provide planting material to our neighbors so that they can rehabilitate their coffee farms. All of my family works with me; we are a family business and we are very grateful for this opportunity that has been provided to us to export to other countries. Quality Practices Ripe cherries are hand harvested from May to September. Depulping is done daily immediately after harvest on-site. Coffee is fermented for 15 hours and washed with clean water from mountain streams. The coffee is then sun-dried on drying tables.

Environmental Care

Production is done without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

Other Statistics:

Type of Soil: Clay
Average Annual Rainfall: 1,790 mm
Type of Shade: Hardwoods, citrus Weeding: Twice per year Pruning: Sanitary pruning Production practices: Not available