The Central de Cooperativas Agrarias Cafetaleras de los Valles de Sandia (CECOVASA) is formed by more than 3,000 Quechua and Aymara small producers. USAID has provided them with technical assistance though the PRA’s ESC Cusco-Puno to improve the production processes of conventional and organic coffee, in line with the quality standards demanded by customers like Starbucks Coffee, Bernard Rothfos, and Twin Trading, among others. The PRA’s support to CECOVASA has been central in achieving organic certification and enhancing harvesting and post-harvesting processes.

During Phase 1 of the PRA, CECOVASA attained incremental sales above US$ 3 million. It is important to highlight successful experiences like that of Wilson Sucaticona Larico, a CECOVASA member who obtained the highest qualification in the 2007 National Coffee Contest. Recently three CECOVASA coffee varieties were ranked among world’s ten best at Rainforest Alliance 2009 international coffee contest.