Café Estrella

History
This year’s ninth place winners were brothers Cruz and Gumersindo Quispe Mamani. This pair are migrants, though not from the altiplano (Bolivia’s high lands), but rather from the town of Coroico nearby in the Yungas region. Gumersindo, the older of the two, was the first to arrive. He began producing coffee because he had seen that it was a profitable crop. He started a family and now has two daughters, Rosmery and Segundina, as well as a son, Elvis. He brought his younger brother, Cruz, so that he could learn to produce coffee and have a stable income. He met his spouse Rosmery in Colonia La Estrella. They do not have any children yet. The brothers decided to participate in the Cup of Excellence because they work together in each other’s lots, seeking to produce the highest quality coffee that they can. Working together, they were able to comply with the requirements for participation. Gumersindo had not heard that he won the contest when his neighbors congratulated him. It was a great surprise. “My comrades heard through radio Caranavi and they told me I won. I improved my coffee, which makes me happy,” said Gumersindo. These producers believe that they should take advantage of the competition. “I regret that my comrades didn’t participate. The competition is for everyone who works with this product. This is how we can continue growing– and move forward with – coffee.”

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

Other Statistics:
Soil Type: Silt loam
Annual Precipitation: 2000 mm/year
Shade Type: Inga edulis sp. - Cedrella odorata
Weed Control: 4 times a year
Pruning: Growth - Renovation
Productive Practices: Organic compost from the discarded coffee pulp, the use of organic barriers, soil protection