September 16, 2008

ACDI/VOCA Participates in First International Specialty Coffee Conference in Neiva, Colombia

From September 12 to 14, ACDI/VOCA participated in the First International Specialty Coffee Conference, “Expo Especiales,” in Neiva, capital of the department of Huila, Colombia. Buyers from around the world and Colombian growers, tasters and industrial coffee producers attended the event, which featured various lectures, expert panels and tastings.

ACDI/VOCA’s Coffee Alliances for the Expansion of Specialty Coffees (CAFES) is a 3-year, $5.8 million USAID-funded project that works with smallholder farmers to help them increase their economic opportunities. Helio Francisco Rico Rincon is a participant of CAFES and attended the conference.

"Since my first days of life, I’ve been in the midst of coffee. My parents were among the first coffee growers of Acevedo, and it is the base product of the region,” he said.

Rico added, "I am devoted to coffee. It is a product that moves the country's economy. Our partnership [with ACDI/VOCA] holds many opportunities. We are working on projects and training to get ahead and reach international markets.”

To learn more about CAFES, click here.