ECO-RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Among our farmers, our objective is to share principles of sustainable and eco-responsible agriculture. By definition, the term sustainable refers to the ability to meet the needs of the current global population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out repeatedly without negative effects on the environment or incredibly high costs for anyone involved. Sustainability is based on the interaction between environmental, social, and economic factors in a given system. Regarding sustainable agriculture, the focus is on reducing environmental impact, reducing costs, increasing yields, and improving access to food. Interestingly, organic foods or organic products do not meet any of these criteria (Jordan Detmers).
Sustainable Agriculture
Regarding sustainable agriculture for our community, our goal is to focus on reducing environmental impact, lowering costs, increasing yields, and accessing economic stability. Several projects are currently underway to improve the agricultural system in our region. We work jointly with an organization called Semillas de Esperanza. This non-profit foundation maintains a seed bank to support sovereign agriculture by providing ancestral and fertile seeds. We cultivate these to increase the survivability of endangered plants and their fruits laden with fertile seeds. The ultimate goal of this project is to create a self-sufficiency loop for food in our community.
Eco-responsible Agriculture
Unfortunately, common agricultural practices in our region are very harmful to the environment. The use of chemicals and practices that result in forests being burned for monoculture are common. To not only reduce environmental impact but also benefit the environment through agriculture, we have developed an expanded cultivation system. We provide growers with models, information, and resources to implement this system. Thus, in a sales contract, signatories commit to applying conditions such as the use of natural fertilizers, the practice of polyculture, and a general ecological awareness.
RENEWABLE ENERGIES
Our company participates in several renewable energy projects involving our community and our own land. The promotion of renewable energies is not only beneficial for the environment, but we apply it to our sustainable and eco-responsible agricultural systems.
Our community benefiting from renewable energy innovations
LATITUDE ZERO has participated in a project promoting renewable energies with multiple benefits. This project, called La Route Touristique, consists of offering generators to the many farmers in the region. The goal is to help them increase their production and facilitate access to renewable energy near their lands, which are often too remote to benefit from it. Among these generators are: hydroelectric turbines, wind turbines, biodigesters (Biomethanization), etc. La Route Touristique allows visitors to learn about these renewable energies and about the farmers and their local products. This project presents a system that benefits farmers economically and promotes environmental production innovations.
Renewable energies in our production
Located near a dominant river within our lands, a multitude of our production stages are supported by a hydraulic energy system. Our entire plantation is hydrated solely with energy from the river's current. The processing and selection stages of our coffee rely on this same energy source. The drying processes are carried out using solar energy installations, offering a better finish than conventional drying ovens. Despite the longer delays, this step is essential to produce specialty coffee. Our home and its attractions represent our first model based on renewable energy resources such as water heating, rainwater harvesting, and the heating of our lake. We are currently working on creating homes composed solely of renewable energies, as well as completing all our production stages with the natural energies available to us.
ECONOMY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY
The economic aspect is responsible for the ongoing development of all our activities, leading to positive impacts. Over the past decades, we have stimulated the economic development of our sector by contributing to the installations and tools necessary to mobilize the agricultural sector of our community. It is thanks to these advancements that we are able to undertake several projects dear to our hearts. Each year, we have had the opportunity to contribute more to economic flows that not only improve living conditions but also present new opportunities to everyone. It is important to clarify the reason for our involvement by demonstrating the positive impact of our economic efforts for all. The people who work with us are members of a community united by motives far beyond the local economy. They are friends, neighbors, and partners. Thus, we work together to provide resources aimed at making a difference.
Economic stimulation for the community
In our remote sector, job opportunities are generally limited. For young adults looking to start their careers, two common options present themselves. The first is offers from mining companies that exploit the environment. These job offers may seem monetarily attractive, however, they provide short-term income and destroy our natural resources in the long term. The second common option for young adults is to leave their families to move to the city where a culture of discrimination sometimes takes root. Our goal is to establish a third option for economic development through the coffee market. Our arrival in the sector has led to the construction of a road and the erection of a bridge accessible to all. These new routes allow for the commercialization of our coffee, but also that of any other cultivation from farmers and, consequently, the economy of our region.
Boosting the business economy
To counter the visible injustices in the market, we have established our own policies which aim to be the most fair and conscious, both for us and for the farmers with whom we work. Contrary to common policies, we have a system that allows for verifiable price fairness by both parties of the contract. Unlike the coffee market, our purchase prices never vary according to supply and demand. Our payments are immediate and punctual to allow people to stabilize their economy. Finally, our harvesting visits eliminate transportation costs and difficulties for our farmers. Our strategy is to become a reliable economic pillar, and so far, this has allowed us to grow as a company with multiple advantages surpassing mass production.
EMPOWERED WOMEN
The place of women and socially disadvantaged individuals in our region remains a priority within our economic operations. Katalina Robalino and her recent investiture as community president have allowed us to broaden our horizons in terms of equality. Our company particularly seeks to support women and their journey towards the development of economic independence.
The introduction of women leaders
In Ecuador, as in many developing societies, the fight for gender parity still has a long way to go. Given her recent appointment, Katalina Robalino has been able to contribute to the development of cultural and social activities for women. These events are intended to be a source of support and mutual aid for potential needs. Aware of the barrier that sexism represents for those who suffer its effects, most of our projects and community activities are designed to create equality of rights for both women and men. On our lands and in their production sector, women are prioritized for management positions to eliminate certain predispositions and offer more egalitarian opportunities.
Supporting change
In the labor sector, given the existing inequalities, we prioritize women and the development of their economic independence. For single-parent women, several advantageous exceptions are put in place. We are proud to count among us many young adults who have thus established their own economic stability during their single years, contrary to usual social norms. During the harvest period, free accommodation is offered to women who wish to work on our lands, thus allowing us to combine ease of travel and individual safety.
