GuatemalaQawale

QAWALE is a social and agricultural project under Vides58, involving small and medium coffee producers from La Libertad, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The project, led by Carlos Gómez and Silvano Hidalgo, operates at altitudes ranging from 1,550 to 1,850 meters above sea level, with GPS coordinates 15.56146, -91.96566 and 15.58202, -91.94721. QAWALE began with a core group of 1,000 coffee producers from Guatemala, and its membership continues to grow each year. The project provides these producers with technical and financial support, including price risk management and diversification programs. Agronomists from Vides58 offer ongoing assistance to the QAWALE producers.

The project employs seven permanent agronomists who provide support to the coffee producers. One of the main challenges faced by these small and medium producers is their susceptibility to price fluctuations and the rising cost of inputs. To counter these challenges, the coffee producers are investing in machinery to improve production and are also diversifying their crops.

The QAWALE program is central to the social and environmental initiatives of the participating coffee producers. It supports sustainable practices and fosters community development.

On average, each coffee producer manages around 3 hectares of land, producing a total of 3,000 kilograms of green coffee. The coffee varieties cultivated include Caturra, Sarchimor, Bourbon, and Catuaí. The picking season typically occurs between December and April, depending on the altitude of the farm. Year-round borer control is maintained using traps, and rust control begins after the third picking of the cherries. The farms follow the ANACAFE program for pruning, which runs from February to October. Fertilization is conducted three times between March and October, using a formula based on soil test results. The mix of fertilizers used is 60% chemical and 40% natural ingredients, with an average organic material content of 3%. Weed control is managed from March to November to ensure access to farm plots for other activities such as picking and fertilizing. New coffee plants are typically introduced between April and June, timed with the onset of the rainy season.

Coffee processing at QAWALE is carefully managed to ensure quality. The coffee is manually picked based on maturity and Brix levels. After a 24-hour pre-fermentation period in the picking bags, the coffee is weighed, sorted, de-pulped, and fermented for 15 to 24 hours, depending on the climate. The drying process lasts 15 to 18 days, with regular movement of the coffee to ensure even drying. Once processed, the coffee is stored in nylon bags at the farm’s warehouse. Samples are collected and tested in a quality lab before the coffee is moved to the dry mill approximately two weeks later, where it is meticulously tracked for traceability.

Water management practices among the QAWALE producers focus on sustainability and efficiency. Irrigation is only used in the nursery, with minimal water consumption per plant. For coffee processing, water is reused after treatment through filters and natural barriers, in compliance with national water treatment standards.

Pest and disease management is proactive, with regular monitoring to prevent outbreaks. Producers use a flower index to predict plant susceptibility based on weather conditions. Coffee traceability is rigorously maintained, with every step from cultivation to export recorded in a software system that logs specific hours and dates. This system also aligns with Rainforest Alliance standards for group certification.

In addition to coffee, QAWALE producers also cultivate vegetables, trees, mushrooms, and herbs. Climate change has had a significant impact on coffee production, particularly in terms of temperature and rainfall distribution. To adapt, producers have developed a flowering index that guides farm activities based on current climate conditions.

Financially, the main challenge for QAWALE producers is to maintain production costs below the historical average price of the C market. While producers are currently able to reinvest in their farms, their financial stability remains closely tied to fluctuations in the C market price.