UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

09/27/2024 | News release | Archived content

Peru: Discover the stories of coffee and conservation led by women of BIOAY

Peru has more than 425,000 hectares dedicated to coffee cultivation, with plantations located in 95 provinces. It ranks as the world's leading exporter of organic coffee, alongside Ethiopia, and provides a livelihood for over 225,000 families. Coffee production not only supports economic development but also plays a crucial role in combating illicit crops, such as illegal coca plantations and land trafficking.

In Oxapampa, gold comes in the form of coffee beans, especially those from Villa Rica (Pasco), part of the Oxapampa-Asháninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY), where commercial coffee cultivation began 105 years ago. Today, the district has over 6,000 hectares dedicated to coffee, and 90% of its population is involved in the production. However, only a few have earned the BIOAY certification label.

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BIOAY Brand, an opportunity for local coffee producers

In 2010, UNESCO recognised the Oxapampa-Asháninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve(BIOAY) as an emblematic natural area. In 2021, BIOAY became the first certified label of a Biosphere Reserve in Peru, recognising producers who apply good agricultural practices, combined with innovation and research, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Over time, UNESCO has supported the strengthening of the BIOAY brand and obtained its licensing, which seeks to improve the livelihoods of local communities.

"Yellow rust (one of the most harmful diseases affecting coffee crops) made us change our production, leading to finer coffees like the Geisha, an organic crop that has consistency over time, helping us improve our production, ensure the health of our consumers, and care for the flora and fauna of the reserve," said Madeleine Huerta, founder of "Huerta Café" and a coffee producer in Villa Rica for more than 50 years.

Madeleine's story stands out for the transformation and innovation she brought to her business in the face of yellow rust. She turned this threat into an opportunity by focusing on high-quality organic coffee production, which led to her receiving the BIOAY certification and winning the 2023 Golden Bean Award.

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Following this path, Rosmery López is another notable coffee producer. She embodies the evolution and transformation of the coffee industry in the region. At 30 years old, she is the visionary behind "Café mi Reyna," an enterprise inspired by love for her family. She manages her own ecological farm, where she has pioneered sustainable practices and improved quality standards.

"Café mi Reyna" is a chemical-free product that has obtained IMOCERT organic certification and the BIOAY licensing label. It reflects Rosmery's commitment to producing superior coffee, respectful of the environment, and offering added value to consumers. However, her work goes beyond that; as a member of the Ecological Cooperative of Women Coffee Growers of Villa Rica, she and her colleagues aim to gain further recognition to strengthen the role of women in coffee farming and prove that they too can achieve great things with authenticity and leadership.

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The Oxapampa-Asháninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve(BIOAY) (Pasco) is home to many stories of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and conservation. The BIOAY label not only adds value to products that meet certification requirements, but it also raises the visibility of coffee growers, strengthens the coffee market, encourages advancements in product quality, and contributes to generating opportunities for its inhabitants.

UNESCO

About the Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project

The Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project develops an integrated landscape management model, combining scientific, local, and indigenous knowledge, while supporting sustainable productive initiatives. Additionally, it has positively impacted governance and the participation of indigenous peoples, strengthening their leadership and representation.

In Peru, the project has been implemented since 2021 in the Oxapampa-Asháninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY) (Pasco) and the Manu Biosphere Reserve (Cusco, Madre de Dios). The project is executed by UNESCO with funding from LVMH.

More information: https://www.unesco.org/en/amazon-biosphere-reserves-project