Our first meeting in Nicaragua – UCA Miraflor, Esteli

After a long day in the car, Andrea and I arrived in Esteli in the North of Nicaragua. We were travelling with Julian, the Country Director for Raleigh International, a British organisation working in the region.

Our first producer meeting of the trip was UCA Miraflor (Union de Cooperativas Agropecurias de Miraflor) a Union of agricultural co-operatives working in the Miraflor Reserve. It was impressive to hear about the wealth of projects that have been developed in its 19 year history.

Their farmers are involved in the production of organic coffee and many have been Fairtrade registered since 2006. Environmentally sound methods of production are ensured by their own laboratory for organic pesticides. The farmers receive education and training, partially via Cecocafen, a Shared Interest customer. As part of the structure of the Union, they have a board and an education committee which specialises in the theme of ‘co-operatives’.

A portion of the fairtrade premium is being used to pay for education in the secondary schools, where previously it was financed by collaboration between families. UCA Miraflor have also invested in development and health education; families are encouraged to grow their own vegetables so they can be self sufficient during periods where they may not be earning. There is also an annual cookery competition in the community, to promote a more diverse diet.

Another important sideline for the families in Miraflor is the development of eco-tourism projects. To find out more about a trip to the Miraflor Reserve you can see their website http://www.miraflor.com/

Later on that day, we drove North into the Miraflor Reserve to meet with ‘El Foro’ (‘The Forum’) of Miraflor who are responsible for undertaking social and economic projects. Their main objective is to include all of their communities in their initiatives, which include small grants for environmentally friendly activities, a community radio station, a young persons’ ecological brigade and an emergency healthcare fund. Everyone in the community has the opportunity to evaluate the work of El Foro and they have been internationally recognised as a model for managing communities and natural resources.