EDIYAURA
Pitalito is located in Huila, one of the departments considered the new centers of coffee production in Colombia.
Coffee has become an important economic, social and environmental activity for the reintegration of former combatants of the Colombian armed conflict. It is a product that has allowed, in addition to the economic sustainability of ex-combatants in some territories, the consolidation of community reintegration initiatives and joint responsibility actions with the participation of indigenous people, coffee-growing families, the private sector, academia and coffee associations. Therefore, the potential of the coffee production region is maximised for technical exchange, local innovation, and for high quality production at national and international level.
Huila regularly produces Cup of Excellence-winning lots. In 2013, it received Denomination of Origin status, the same status awarded to many other foods, like Champagne and Roquefort cheese, and many other foods and beverages with unique, location-specific characteristics.
Huila is surrounded by the Central and Eastern ranges of the Andes, with the largest part lying in the Magdalena Valley. This provides great variation in climate: temperatures on farms vary from 17°C to 23°C. Most of these farms are between 1,200 and 1,800 m.a.s.l. and they benefit from nitrogen-rich volcanic soil.
On the News in Colombia (Aug. 2021):
We are delighted to be recognised in the news alongside Edisson in Colombia #ARNNews @arncolombia @desdelaraiz_co for being the first in #Ireland🇮🇪 and Europe to import the delicious Ediyaura Coffee. The export to Ireland of “Café Ediyaura”, represents for Edisson, in reincorporation from the Colombian armed conflict, a major achievement. We believe in the potential of #coffeeforpeace, inclusion, integration, and sustainability
After having spent time in jail for being part of an armed group. Now he is integrated into civil life supporting community processes and collaborating with neighboring communities and people in the environmental, social, and economic development of the region. Let’s hear some of his story.
My name is Edisson Vergara, my experience as a coffee grower comes from my grandparent. Both, my parents and I followed in their footsteps, and I am following their tradition.
I am based in Finca La Serena, a farm of 18 hectares, almost exclusively in coffee. Our farm is located at a height of 1630 masl near Pitalito town. We have 5 different varieties: Castillo, Tambi, Colombia, Bourbon Rosado and Caturra.
I am a member of the Tecnicafé Miravalles project and I have created my own brand: Café Ediyaura. My project consists of the production and commercialization of speciality coffee and I hope the people from beyond this region get to know our coffee, the best coffee in southern Colombia. My bet for peace is to be able to position the brand and through it, to be able to employ farmers in the region, promote reconciliation and show that you can achieve your dreams.
It is also important to highlight the support that the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN) has given me throughout this whole time with a series of workshops, courses and other activities in recent years. It has allowed my business to achieve social inclusion and integration, as well as the possibility of qualifying me in various aspects related to coffee.
In late June 2021, I participated, together with six productive projects of former members of the FARC-EP guerrilla committed to the peace process, in the world fair ‘World Coffee Fair’, representing the department of Huila with Ediyaura Coffee. It is something that fills me with emotion and satisfaction because we have worked very hard for the company to get to where it is now”.
I have had the opportunity to offer the brand in Mexico and Chile through some friends. That is something very valuable to me, you see that by putting effort into it you can get big things done.
In the opportunities that life has given me, I have been trained in the coffee area, and I was fortunate to receive support from Fondo Emprender SENA capital seed and it has allows my company to continue growing and providing job opportunities for other people. We started to grow and roast in 2016 when we received support for our business.
In the south of Huila we have the best coffees, and especially my coffee that represents the sunrise of the south of Huila with its aroma of red cherries. In my coffee plantations you breathe peace, and it represents my opportunity to get ahead with my family and it is a homage to my father who has left me his coffee legacy.
The farm adjoins the Reserve called Balsillas. A group of people from our community (Comuneros) are working on the care of this natural reserve, together with the municipality and other community groups. We are working on prevention, mitigation, and control of logging, and wildfires in the surroundings. We have started reforesting 18,000 native trees in the area.
A perfect destination for sustainable tourism
You can stay in La Sirena Farm with Edisson and his family and experience the process of coffee, the local culture and the surrounding landscape. Send us a message to know more about it.
Pitalito is known as The Valle de Laboyos and is part of the Macizo Colombiano (Colombian Massif) and the Andean Belt Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO in 1979, for its special ecological and socio-economic characteristics. It comprises three National Parks: the Cueva de Los Guacharos National Park, the Purace National Park, and the Nevado del Huila National Park. Huila is a perfect region for regenerative and sustainable tourism as a local-driven experience.
Pitalito is one of the municipalities with the highest number of properties acquired for the protection of micro watersheds. In this ecosystem, joint efforts are made between institutions, associations of indigenous peoples and local farmers. They are starting to work together to manage sustainable agroecosystems, recuperate river basins, and implement community projects.
