July 13 - 2021
Coffee Geography Magazine
Mercon Coffee Group is a vertically integrated coffee company which is engaged in
sustainable production program LIFT, that provides valuable tools, training,
and services to coffee farmers and coffee communities. Through LIFT, Mercon
works directly with thousands of small coffee producers to raise their quality
of life by helping them improve productivity in a social and environmentally
conscious manner.
“Through
the sustainable program, we setup our resources to offer technical assistance, training
and services to coffee farmers and coffee communities.” said Giacomo Celi, Mercon
Coffee Group's Global Sustainability Director. “We work jointly with coffee
farmers to improve their livelihood by helping them develop their productivity
level in an environmental friendly method.”
Recently
Mercon Coffee Group has Signed Joint Partnership with Conservation International to be able expand LIFT throughout the world. Within its operation
areas in Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Vietnam and a new office in
Ethiopia, the company projected LIFT to deliver advanced agricultural,
environmental, and social practices to coffee farmers.
LIFT introduced the technology to monitor the performance of
each farms and the surrounding eco-system through a digital platform—straight
from the farm. The technical team uses tablets onsite to digitally capture and
monitor each producer’s improvement, which guarantees how effective the program
is.
“The
program assesses the forest conservation and reforestation activities to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions on coffee regions where Mercon’s operations are
located.” Explained Mr. Celi.
As
one of the leading coffee companies in the world, Mercon Coffee Group has vast
experience in farming, production, trading, logistics, and risk management. As
the climate change affects all from farming communities to big companies,
mutual understanding of the impact is clearly placed by the company to reach
the objective of sustainable carbon reduction.
“ Coffee
is part of the solution to the global climate crisis by conserving the forest
for the need of a better coffee yield for farmers.” Celi said.
Mercon
Coffee Group has built a working relationship with IDB Invest, the largest development financial institution in Latin America to co-finance LIFT and
support coffee communities in the region by promoting positive environmental
practices.
In
order to achieve the desired goal, a joint partnership with an organization
which has deep connection with the environment is retained for greater
execution of the mission. Conservation International has decades of experience
in the field of nature preservation work and such strategic alliance has placed
enough resources and expertise on the ground for the program.
“We
have also opened an office in Ethiopia to extend our hand for further action
and by 2022 more coffee farmers would be included in the program.” Celi said.
However,
the current conservation work is entirely positioned to Central and South
America where Mercon Coffee has deep rooted business connection.
“An
impressive accomplishment is done in Nicaragua where Mecron built advanced
coffee and tree nurseries to preserve the coffee regions in the country.” Celi
added.
The
nurseries are located in Sebaco in the northern region of Nicaragua with full
capacity from cloning and grafting to biodegradable packaging of seedlings
specialized in innovative techniques. Considering the importance of gender
equality, the number of women who are participating at these nurseries are 70
% to help the communities generate more
income.
Today the turnover from this investment created thousands of jobs, boosted the
local economy and allows Mecron Coffee Group to involve vigorously in education
and the sustainability of the environment, securing long term value for the
coffee farmers and at the same time to fight the climate change with the most
sufficient method.
Based in The Netherlands, Mercon Group has offices in more
than 60 countries globally with operation offices in Brazil, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, the United States, Spain and Vietnam.