Café APECE

History
Julia Tintaya is a fighter. She arrived in the Yungas region with her Husband, Pedro Patana. Day after day they struggled to clear the jungle, for their homestead in Colonia Alto Llusta. Growing coffee turned out to be intuitive, once they had seen how their neighbors did it. Sometimes the prices were high, sometimes the prices were low. The work was always hard, but they kept at it and did not give up. The couple lived through difficult moments, but neither hunger, nor weariness, nor sickness was kept them from their dream. Their family kept growing; they now have six children. The oldest son is a source of pride for Julia because he earned a degree in agronomic engineering from the San Andrés University (in Spanish, Universidad Mayor San Andrés) in the city of La Paz. He is the best reward for their years of dedicated work. These days, he is the one that guides them through the process. “I know coffee, but I couldn’t keep up with it from up close. My son is the one that takes care of that mostly. He tells us that we have to process it such and such a way… ‘Do this’ … He just finished his Agronomy degree.” Julia says “I ask the world that consumes this quality coffee that they show their solidarity, to help solve the economic situation of the Bolivian family.”

This producer will continue participating in the competitions. She wants to improve her coffee and will invest what she earns from the international auction. “My goal is to expand my plantations and improve the structure where I process coffee. I want to keep working, and I need to invest in my family, too. Money these days doesn’t go far enough. Every day life is more expensive. Even food.”

Environmental Care
Organic compost from the discarded coffee pulp, the use of natural barriers, soil protection.

Other Statistics:
Soil Type: Clay Loam
Annual Precipitation: 1600 mm/year
Shade Type: Inga edulis sp.- Cedrella odorata
Weed Control: 2 times a year
Pruning: Growth - Renovation
Productive Practices: Organic compost from the discarded coffee pulp, the use of organic barriers, soil protection.