Honduran women play a fundamental role in coffee production, being key actors in all stages of the production process. However, historically they have faced challenges in terms of access to resources, decision-making, and recognition of their work.
What do these organizations do?
Organizations of women coffee farmers in Honduras carry out a wide range of activities:
Training
They offer courses and workshops on topics related to coffee production, leadership, business management, and marketing.
Joint production
They organize to produce high-quality coffee, which allows them to access better markets and obtain fairer prices.
Marketing
They develop collective brands and establish direct marketing channels, reducing intermediation and increasing their income.
Political advocacy
They participate in decision-making processes at the local and national levels, advocating for public policies that promote gender equity and rural development.
Benefits and challenges
- Women’s leadership: The presence of strong and committed women in leadership roles is fundamental.
- Capacity building: Continuous training is essential to improve women’s management and leadership skills.
- Articulation with other actors: Collaboration with government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector is key to achieving a greater impact.
- Adaptation to change: Organizations must be able to adapt to the new realities of the market and the challenges of climate change.
However, these organizations also face challenges such as a lack of financial resources, difficulty in maintaining internal cohesion, and the need to strengthen their management capacities.
Key factors for success
The success of these organizations depends on various factors, including:
- Women’s leadership: The presence of strong and committed women in leadership roles is fundamental.
- Capacity building: Continuous training is essential to improve women’s management and leadership skills.
- Articulation with other actors: Collaboration with government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector is key to achieving a greater impact.
- Adaptation to change: Organizations must be able to adapt to the new realities of the market and the challenges of climate change.
Organizations of women coffee farmers in Honduras play a crucial role in the economic and social empowerment of rural women. By strengthening these organizations, we contribute to building a more just and sustainable coffee sector.
To continue moving forward, it is necessary to:
- Invest in strengthening organizations: Through training programs, technical assistance, and financing.
- Promote public policies that favor women’s participation in decision-making.
- Make the work of women coffee farmers visible: Through communication campaigns and dissemination of their achievements.
Organizations of women coffee farmers in Honduras are an inspiring example of how unity and collective action can transform the lives of rural women and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.
Marketing Coffee: A Focus on Honduran Women Coffee Farmers
Coffee marketing is a crucial aspect of the value chain and presents a particular challenge for women coffee farmers. Despite their significant contribution to production, women often face barriers in accessing markets and obtaining fair prices.
Challenges in Marketing
- Lack of information: Many women lack information about markets, prices, and trends, limiting their ability to negotiate better terms.
- Limited participation in decision-making: In many cooperatives and associations, women have limited representation in decision-making bodies, making it difficult for their interests to be considered in commercial negotiations.
- Cultural barriers: Social and cultural norms can limit women’s participation in commercial and negotiation activities.
- Limited access to financing: Women often have difficulty accessing credit and financing to improve the quality of their coffee and increase their production.
Strategies to Improve Marketing
- Collective organization: Organizations of women coffee farmers play a fundamental role in joining forces to negotiate better prices and access wider markets.
- Training: Training in marketing, coffee quality, and brand development is essential for women to make informed decisions and improve the competitiveness of their products.
- Origin and quality certifications: Obtaining certifications that guarantee the quality and sustainability of coffee produced by women can open doors to new markets and consumers willing to pay a higher price.
- Marketing and branding: Developing collective brands that highlight the unique characteristics of coffee produced by women and positioning it in specific market niches.
- Fair trade relationships: Establishing direct commercial relationships with roasters and buyers, avoiding intermediaries and ensuring greater transparency in the value chain.
- Access to technology: Adopting technologies such as the internet and social networks can facilitate the search for new markets and the promotion of products.
The role of women’s organizations
Organizations of women coffee farmers play a crucial role in improving the marketing of coffee produced by women:
- Collective negotiation: Organizations can negotiate better prices and conditions with buyers on behalf of their members.
- Market access: They can facilitate access to specialized markets, such as the specialty coffee market, which values quality and sustainability.
- Brand development: They can develop collective brands that represent the identity and quality of the coffee produced by their members.
- Promotion and dissemination: They can participate in fairs and events to promote their products and establish contacts with potential buyers.
Marketing coffee is a key aspect of the economic empowerment of women coffee farmers. By overcoming challenges and taking advantage of opportunities, women can improve their incomes, strengthen their organizations, and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.
Best Practices in the Coffee Value Chain and Women’s Empowerment
Farm Assistance
- Good Agricultural Practices: Women coffee farmers are adopting sustainable practices such as agroforestry, organic fertilizers, and integrated pest management.
- Technical Training: They are accessing training in topics such as pruning, fertilization, and pest and disease control, allowing them to improve the productivity and quality of their crops.
- Cooperation: Many women are organizing into cooperatives or associations to share knowledge, resources, and jointly face challenges.
Quality Control in Processing
- Careful Selection: Women carefully select ripe fruits, discarding those that do not meet quality standards.
- Processing Processes: They master the techniques of pulping, fermentation, and drying, ensuring that the coffee retains its organoleptic characteristics.
- Quality Control at Each Stage: They implement quality controls at every stage of the process, from coffee reception to storage.
Coffee Drying
- Traditional and Modern Methods: They use both traditional methods and mechanical dryers to ensure uniform drying and prevent fermentation.
- Temperature and Humidity Control: They monitor environmental conditions to prevent coffee degradation and ensure its quality.
Quality Control in Cupping
- Cupping Training: They participate in cupping courses to develop their palate and identify the sensory characteristics of coffee.
- Sensory Evaluation: They conduct periodic cuppings to evaluate coffee quality and detect potential defects.
Coffee Export
- Associations with Exporters: They establish commercial relationships with exporters who value quality and sustainability.
- Certifications: They seek origin and quality certifications that allow them to access specialized markets and obtain better prices.
- Marketing and Branding: They develop collective brands that highlight the quality and unique characteristics of coffee produced by women.
- Fair Trade: They participate in fair trade initiatives that guarantee fair prices and decent working conditions.
Factors Facilitating the Empowerment of Women in the Coffee Value Chain
We have been in the market for 18 years and proved our customers our experience matters.
Training
Acquiring technical and business knowledge empowers women and allows them to make informed decisions.
Access to Financing
Access to credit and financing allows them to invest in
their farms and improve the quality of their production.
Public Policies
We are worldwide with market participation in more than 54 countries in 5 continents.
Support Networks
The support of civil society organizations, governments, and private companies is essential to strengthen women’s capacities.
Women coffee farmers are playing an increasingly important role in the coffee value chain. Through organization, training, and access to markets, they are improving their quality of life and contributing to the sustainable development of their communities.
| Indicator | Value | Source | Year |
| %. Female Producers | 25% | IHCAFE | 2023 |
| Age Average | 45 years old | IHCAFE | 2023 |
| % access to financial aid | 15% | SAG | 2022 |