Based in the city of Coban in Guatemala, the Federation of Cooperatives of the Verapaces (FEDECOVERA, R.L) is an autonomous cooperative founded on February 23th, 1976. Its activity is the production of cardamom, allspice, coffee, tea, cocoa, essential oils, basic grains, vegetables and the sustainable forestry development. In 36 years of existence, results are spoken: 

• 7 products: cardamom, coffee, tea, allspice, cocoa, essential oils and wood;
• 1st Organic Cardamom producer and exporter in the world;
• Exports to the 5 continents;
• 2 Production plants: Coban and El Rancho located in Guatemala;
• 25,000 producing families gathered in 36 cooperatives and 12 associations;
• Consequently FEDECOVERA takes care of more than 140,000 people.

 

Partnership Approach

FEDECOVERA is a second level cooperative with the same structure as its cooperatives-partners. Thirty-six years ago, FEDECOVERA started working 4000 coffee and cardamom producers.

 

In 2012, FEDECOVERA counts 36 partner-cooperatives and 12 groups of small producers gathering 25000 producing families. The three main objectives are:

• Improve the quality and increase the production at the farm level and consequently improve farmers’ competitiveness,
• Build capacity of farmers and farmer organizations,
• Build long-term partnerships with customers that share the same interests and values.