Pronatur

Pronatur, which stands for Promoter of Natural Agriculture, integrates small-scale marginal producers into efficient productive chains that consolidate the commercial production of 100% Arabica coffees in Peru. On a total of 2,962 acres there are 872 producers that own independent parcels of land. In total there are approximately 5,000 people involved in the total production chain.

In 1995, after considering the inherent possibilities for development in the region, the present general manager of Pronatur decided to organize groups of coffee growers in the Altomayo area. An efficient supporting team of specialists was created and quickly gained the confidence of local farmers.

Personal commitment, daily hands-on hard work, and socially acceptable business ethics enables Pronatur to offer organic shade-grown coffee without the need of intermediaries, and to guarantee a superior final quality due to the application of better methods in the critical phases of harvesting and processing.

Pronatur obtains all of its organic coffee from small plots located in high, remote areas of the Peru's production area. The growing area lies in the Altomayo region, on both banks of the Mayo River, and on the eastern slopes of the Marañón at an altitude of 1300 to 2000 m above sea level. These rivers wind their way through the fertile, high lying rain forest of the upper reaches of the Amazon basin in Peru, famous for its biodiversity

Some of the beans are picked by migrant families from the higher, impoverished Andean regions, others by local people, and some by small groups of Aguaruna and Huambisa descendents, original natives of the Amazon region who are slowly and progressively becoming socially and economically integrated.

With simple techniques involving mulch, compost and judicial pruning to avoid leaching of soils and rapid aging of plants, the farmers are overcoming the deficiencies of traditional slash-and-burn agriculture. The extraordinary natural variety of old-growth shade trees forms an extensive canopy over the production region and is also extremely important for migratory birds that winter in the area.

Each small production unit is taken through ecologically sound processing, carefully monitored by a team of agricultural and technical experts. Pronatur continually works to upgrade and develop sustainable agro ecosystems, seeking out new concepts of efficiency, product quality and environmental responsibility.

Since Utz Kapeh certification in January 2003, Pronatur has been involved in several social and environmental improvement projects. These include fostering childhood education, developing organic gardens, upgraded water treatment facilities, and improved wet mills and solar dryers.

Pronatur joined Utz Kapeh to benefit from its rigorous code of conduct which in turn has opened up new avenues of trade in the market for its excellent quality coffee.