After a week and a half in Colombia, we can safely say the world around Popayan has been changed for the better… JK!! Classic development jokes.

All jokes aside, we have been steadily getting to know the challenges and opportunities surrounding the FCC, and the coffee producers they serve. During our time here, we have spent time at the fertilizer plant, visited demonstration plots at multiple coffee farms that are investigating organic production techniques, and beat Colombians at their own game: dancing.

Overall our analysis has focused on two elements of the FCC: the fertilizer plant and the agroecological school. After attempting to create a business plan and proper analysis of business practices, we discovered that much of the necessary data is missing. Thus, some of our main recommendations for the plant include improving accounting practices, something that a consultant will follow up on, as well as beginning to track all business operations on paper instead of relying on people’s memories. Furthermore, given we suggested that the plant focus their efforts, particularly when it comes to certification and marketing, on their best selling products. These products should also be held at a consistent price, rather than the current practice in which price fluctuates based on prices of raw materials. To Fiona’s great surprise, as the plant has cattle that they wish to transition to agroecological management, she was able to contribute by giving recommendations surrounding pasture management, nutrition, health and reproduction. Since the plant also offers services such as trainings and tours, we recommended that they come up with a portfolio of services, with consistent prices.

As far as the agroecological school is concerned, we encouraged more systematized curriculums, with continued support by technicians after the academic period. Furthermore, we stressed the need to collect data on demonstration plots, and to use controls for comparison. We created an evaluation for the school, along with a format to collect data. We also recommended that the research plots be primarily located at the plant itself, in part of the area now dedicated to cattle, so that farmers’ crops are not put at risk.

We were able to weave many exciting and eye opening activities in while accomplishing all of our work as well! For the first time in SMART – FCC history our team was able to attend the end of the year celebration the farmers of Cajibio put on each year. During the celebration Ashraf, Trent, and Fiona all participated in an intense dance competition against Colombians. At the end of the competition it came down to Fiona and Trent having a dance off after the other 6 teams had been eliminated. Fiona came out on top winning as she danced like a Colombian and Trent looked like the “wacky-waving-arm-inflatable-tube-men” you see outside of car dealerships.

Fiona won a hat and a pigs head, Trent won some cups and a lovely cheering squad of “campesinas,” and Ashraf won the hearts of Colombian’s by bridging the cultural gap between Bangladesh and Colombia, or in his words “their (Colombians) long lost brothers from Asia.”

The end.

Love,

The SMART’est

From the moment that I stood in the check in line at JFK and till my arrival in Popoyán, Colombia, I am greeted with smile and friendliness. All the people are so nice in this country and hospitable. Wherever I go I am greeted with, “Hola! en qué le puedo ayudar (Hello! What can I do for you)? People starts to talk to me as if we know each other for a very long time, but when I open my mouth, they become very confused!! Why is this guy talking in English? It started with me in the check in line, then on the plane. Then during our visit in one of the coffee farms, when Fiona told the daughter of the campesina, “He is from Bangladesh”, the daughter said, “No way!! He looks like a Colombian!!

When we first met with the Federación Campesina del Cauca (FCC), our partner, I introduced myself probably as the first person who you have seen from Bangladesh. Then in the middle I saw one official googling “Bangladesh”. At that moment, I realized that I not just representing Cornell here, I am representing an entire nation that they know nothing about. The conversation in meeting was in Spanish, but my team members were kind enough to translate it for me from time to time. They are constantly doing it every day and I am eternally grateful to all of them.

We visited the fertilizer plant of the FCC, which is our main area of focus for this year. We were supposed to split in teams with our different areas of expertise, but before that we were given a tour of the whole facility. The things that FCC achieved here, despite various limitations, is extra-ordinary. During one point of the visit, Christian from FCC dug a hole in the pile of the dirt where they were processing the organic fertilizer and called me over, “Ashraf come here, feel this (in Spanish by the way)”. I put my hand in the hole and in my surprise, it was hot inside. Then Juana explained that the microbes are interacting with each other and the hotter it gets, the better!! Although it was beyond my understanding, I found it amazing!! We are also learning new things about each other, everyday. For example, I did not know that Fiona could talk to cows!! And she is really good at it!!

Yesterday, we went to the annual gathering of the FCC and it was fun!! Many of the campesinas from the region of Cajibio came with their families. There were food, drinks and music!! There was a dance off competition and the teams that came in top three, each were represented by Cornellians, Fiona, Trent and me!! Fiona won the dance off by winning the hearts and minds of the campesinas.

We are analyzing the business viability of the FCC’s organic fertilizer plant while reviewing their services. I intend to do a financial projection of their revenues, expenses and asset position to determine the projects financial Internal Rate of Return (IRR). It might be a little difficult considering much of the information are not there. But I am hopeful to put numbers behind the business performance of the fertilizer plant.  

Our first day getting our hands dirty found us out at the FCC’s newly renovated fertilizer and soil plant. Last year’s SMART team worked with the FCC on projects regarding the sustainability of the plant, certification procedures the FCC would need to complete in order to sell their products in local markets, and strategies on how to improve product quality. Needless to say, the FCC took many of the suggestions to heart! Which after the first meeting, came as a little bit of a surprise. This resulted in newly built walls around the plant, a more scientific way of measuring the product quality, as well as taking multiple steps such as soil analysis and large monetary investments to become certified by the local government.

The plant is located roughly an hour and a half outside of Popayan in a community named Tunía. Nestled between the large mountains to the East and the soft rolling hills to the West of Tunía is a tranquil area made up of beautiful high-jungle valleys. In 2013 The FCC purchased six-hectares stretching from the top of a ridge to the bottom of the valley. Previous owners of the land had run a small-scale dairy farm which was a perfect precursor for the FCC’s fertilizer and soil-plant as one of their main goals is to raise their own cattle for both milk production and the opportunity of using “homegrown” manure. In the middle of the Tunía campo lies this perfectly situated opportunity for the FCC to supplement their incomes, create organic fertilizers for their members to use, and the possibility of offering other services to the local communities, such as educational classes regarding organic processes.

Our job as the SMART team with relation to the fertilizer plant consisted of three main components: advising the FCC on how to better maintain and raise their cattle, consult with the management team on how to properly run soil analysis tests, and to calculate appropriate sales prices and structures for each of the products the FCC produce at the plant. Fionna was in charge of discussing the cattle management, Juana and Adam were in charge of discussing soil testing practices, and Ashraf and Trent were in charge of the business analysis of the plant.

From just after sunrise to right before sunset we spent the day discussing and learning all about the plant’s current operations and vision of the future. Over the next few days we will be analyzing data, discussing proper procedures, and developing plans in accordance with the FCC’s mission to present to their leaders. Our collaboration with the FCC allows us to learn by first hand experiences and to develop strong relationships with the members of the FCC. It goes without saying, but the next few days should be extremely exciting and busy as we begin to work hand-in-hand with the FCC.

Saludos desde Popayan, La Cuidad Blanca (AKA Gondor!). We arrived a few days ago, and have been busy bees since then, so we are finally taking a moment at our hotel to keep you up to date. So far the music in the dining room has consisted of an excellent mix of Lord of the Rings Soundtrack, Enya, Opera, DISCOOOO, and Robbie Williams.

On Tuesday we had our first meeting with the Federación Campesina de Cauca (FCC). Although we knew a good deal about the history and the mission of the FCC, and a little bit about their projects, because we hadn’t been able to get in touch with our partners before coming, we didn’t know much about what we would be working on. Our initial meeting was full of surprises, twists and turns. In typical Latin American style, the meeting began with long introductions, several powerpoint presentations, and meandering conversations. It became apparent that the FCC had many MANY projects going on, and a staff that was spread thin. However, these projects, from youth empowerment training, to demonstration agroecological farms, to food sovereignty initiatives, along with a focus on selling quality coffee at a just price, contribute to an integrated approach at the heart of the FCC mission.

From our conversations with Maricel, Arlen, Cristian, and Mauro, we learned that the FCC faces multiple complex challenges. There exists an internal conflict between the mission of social and environmental goals, with economic advancement which involves improving coffee quality and market access. Coffee quality is inconsistent, making specialty markets hard to access and technicians have enough on their plates with organic certification. Furthermore, the biofertilizer plant has been experiencing product quality issues and lacks a strong business plan. Somewhat to our discomfort, sentiments that universities are out of touch with the reality of the campo, and that their research never comes back to benefit the FCC were expressed. Also, it seems as if most of the SMART team suggestions from previous years had not been followed.

Our meeting lasted all day, and we ultimately decided our contribution would consistent of several parts. First, we would visit the biofertilizer plant and figure out some of the financial gaps, like what their costs were and what they should charge for their products. Juana and Adam would help with lab protocols, and Fiona would look at the dairy cattle operation. Second, we would synthesize Miguel Gomez’s work into digestible and approachable formats to give to local cooperatives that make up the FCC. Finally, in farm visits, we will try to come up with a plan of how to collective quantitative and qualitative data showing the benefits of using biofertilizer products and attending the schools that the FCC offers.

Well, we have our work cut out for us, so…Hasta la proxima!