MYANMAR
In partnership with UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), Malongo is engaged in a programme to replace poppy cultivation with coffee cultivation among small producers in the Shan territory.
| 850 |
76 tonnes
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2017
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PRODUCERS
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PURCHASED BY MALONGO
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LAUNCH DATE FOR THE PARTNERSHIP
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A COFFEE FOR PEACE AND BIODIVERSITY
Opium poppy cultivation is at the heart of a major problem in Myanmar; the mountainous Shan region in the east of the country accounts for 90 % of production. A dangerous and illegal activity. Poppy cultivation is also environmentally harmful, causing deforestation, soil erosion, and depletion of biodiversity.
Replacing poppy cultivation with coffee: an alternative development project representing ,considerable hope ,of transition to a legal, ,eco-friendly, profitable, ,and sustainable activity.
COFFEE COOPERATIVE GREEN GOLD
In 2014, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) created the Green Gold coffee cooperative, which today brings together some 850 coffeeproducing families from 52 villages in remote areas of Shan. The first harvest of the 1 000 hectares of coffee plants planted at altitude (1 400-1 800 metres) was at the end of 2017.
The cooperative’s social organisation was developed, and community facilities were installed (nurseries, washing areas, drying tables, etc.) at the same time.Legal coffee growing, community organisation, and shared processing facilities are radical changes for the local population
MALONGO'S COMMITMENT
Malongo’s contributions to this alternative development project have been crucial in several ways. In particular in supporting the definition of the global strategy and sharing our experience in the support and structuring of cooperatives. In addition, we have passed on our knowledge of coffee production to producers: agricultural know-how, processing steps, quality control, tasting…
Malongo has entered into a 5-year partnership to support the cooperative over the long term and secure outlets under fair trade conditions.
ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK
The project’s contributions are felt at several levels: economic, environmental and social. A joint Board of Directors composed of 7 women and 7 men from the Shan and Pa-o ethnic groups has been created. 1000 hectares of coffee trees have been planted in agroforestry. The transition from conventional production to organic farming that respects people and their environment is underway.
By working together in the cooperative, the Shan and Pa-o ethnic groups participate in the pacification of the territory. This reinforces the sense of pride and dignity of producers who grow coffee that is now internationally recognized.
