Nicaragua Women Producer Program Aldea Global – Finca Los Positos

Finca Los Positos is owned by Maria Estanislada Martinez. This 21.35-hectare farm is located near Palo Blanco, a small rural community in the department of Jinotega, in northern Nicaragua. It’s situated in a region known for its lush landscapes and mountainous terrain. Life in the village tends to be simple, with strong ties between neighbors and a focus on traditional practices. The community has a local primary school and church. Access to services and infrastructure is limited, so residents often rely on each other and local resources. The area is characterized by its agricultural activities, with many residents engaging in farming as a primary livelihood. Especially noteworthy, Nicaragua coffee women producers contribute to the agricultural legacy here. The community often grows crops like coffee, corn, beans, and various vegetables.

Coffee cultivation at Los Positos is a family legacy passed down from generation to generation. Maria Estanislada grew up around coffee and learned from her parents all the effort and work that coffee production takes. Her parents inherited her 1 ha of coffee and a truck. She decided to sell the car, buy more land, and plant more coffee. In fact, women producers like Maria Estanislada shape Nicaragua’s coffee story through their determination.

Coffee at Los Positos is shade-grown and hand-picked. Wet milling and fermentation are done at the farm. The coffee is then sun-dried on African beds at the Aldea Coffee Processing Facility, where the skills and dedication of Nicaragua coffee women producers can be seen in every step.

The farm is an engine of employment and development in the community, providing jobs for 30 full-time employees. During the harvest season, Los Positos hires up to 100 temporary workers, who find a dignified and respectful work environment on the farm. The work provides them with services such as food and accommodation and pays above the minimum wage. Los Positos believes that respecting their workers’ effort and dedication is fundamental to the success of the farm. Women producers play a crucial role in Nicaragua coffee farms, enhancing employment opportunities.

Los Positos implements an eco-friendly system, integrating wood trees, citrus, bananas, and coffee. With a deep respect for the environment, the farm is committed to conserving vital natural resources, implementing sustainable practices, such as using an Eco-Mill, honey water treatment system, and maintaining a harmonious balance with local wildlife. It’s important to acknowledge how Nicaragua coffee women producers actively participate in sustainability initiatives on the farm.

Thanks to the income generated from coffee, the farm has significantly improved its kitchen and wet mill and built a house for the family. The economic impact highlights the role of women producers in Nicaragua coffee communities.

Maria Estanislada plans to pass her legacy to her two sons. She has already inherited each of them 1 ha of coffee land to start building their own farms. She also wants to continue growing, so she plans to buy more land to produce coffee. As a woman producer in Nicaragua’s coffee sector, Maria Estanislada’s vision contributes to empowering future generations.

Jinotega