CECOVASA is the Central Organization of Small-holder Coffee Farmer Cooperatives in the Sandia Valleys. It was founded by Quechua and Aymara smallholder growers in the region in 1970. Cooperative membership comprises of men and women. Their hard work is rewarded by through the production of uniquely flavoured, quality coffee. Thanks to Fairtrade, they are able to continue to raise their standard of living and improve coffee production.

BENEFITS OF FAIRTRADE

-	Protects the biodiversity of the Bahuaja Sonene National Park and the Tambopata Candamo Natural Reserve.
-	The fairtrade coffee premium helps to dis-courage farmers from cultivating illegal crops.
-	Enhanced prospects for producers within their own communities.
-	Cooperative structure strengthens democracy and encourages participation of women and young people.
-	Encourages producers to improve coffee qua-lity.
-	Improved nutrition and access to health, housing and education for producers and their families.
-	Strengthens and improves the efficiency of the organization. Heightens its recognition amongst public and private institutions. Creates possibilities to draw up development proposals with local authorities.
-	Enables the organization to regulate prices in the region to the benefit of small-scale pro-ducers.