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Café Venus, produced in the rural areas of Tuluá by campesinos (rural farmers) and ex-combatants, reflects a valuable reconciliation process in a territory marked by conflict. It has also been essential in promoting agricultural and livestock economic initiatives, opening commercialization channels at various scales. This project has been supported by our Rural Alternative School of Tuluá with machinery for its technification, training, and advice during its different stages.
Even more important are the achievements in terms of the social fabric repaired during the development of the project’s activities. One of the pillars of our Rural Alternative Schools is the trust built with the community through shared time, conversations to make joint plans, working side by side, and the productive projects articulated in these spaces. The coffee project in the ERA of Tuluá experienced security issues that forced its relocation to the MERCACENTRO facilities (in the municipality of Tuluá), where they could resume their project and forge new connections with the farmers and ex-policemen that also sell their agricultural products there.
By joining efforts and dreams, they have made adjustments in MERCACENTRO that improve their working conditions and have made it possible for them to overcome prejudices and fears that had previously limited their collaboration. They are currently making progress in their joint efforts to strengthen their agricultural and livestock economic ventures with the support of numerous partners, including PASO Colombia.
