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Inspiring and Training Young Coffee Farmers of the Future
Wake up and Smell the Future
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Meet Cesar Ernesto Buezo, a son of a coffee farming family, who spent his whole life surrounded by the coffee plants on his family’s farm, but until recently, hadn’t thought to stop and appreciate the coffee flavor or his prospects as a coffee farmer. Then he took part in NESCAFÉ®’s Youth Initiative, and his attitude changed. “The biggest breakthrough for me was the simple act of noticing the cup of coffee that I was producing,” he says. “Testing it, tasting the different flavours, studying colours and texture… this was all entirely new”.
Not a young person’s preferred profession, less than 5% of coffee farmers fall under the age of 35 worldwide. With a growing global generational gap engaged in coffee production, NESCAFÉ® set about presenting young adults with good reasons to stay on the farm and embrace a coffee future of their own.
Not a young person’s preferred profession, less than 5% of coffee farmers fall under the age of 35 worldwide. With a growing global generational gap engaged in coffee production, NESCAFÉ® set about presenting young adults with good reasons to stay on the farm and embrace a coffee future of their own.
Helping Grow Futures – Farmer Education in Honduras
Honduras has one of the world’s youngest populations, with around 65% of Hondurans under 29. In June 2019, NESCAFÉ® launched a Youth Initiative there. A collaboration with the national government and part of the Nestlé Needs YOUth project, it aims to inspire younger generations to contribute to the success of their coffee-growing communities. Part of Nestlé’s wider commitment to help 10 million young adults worldwide to access economic opportunities by 2030, the NESCAFÉ® Plan aims to provide coffee farming training up to 25,000 young adults in Honduras.
Helping Grow Futures – Farmer Education in Honduras
Honduras has one of the world’s youngest populations, with around 65% of Hondurans under 29. In June 2019, NESCAFÉ® launched a Youth Initiative there. A collaboration with the national government and part of the Nestlé Needs YOUth project, it aims to inspire younger generations to contribute to the success of their coffee-growing communities. Part of Nestlé’s wider commitment to help 10 million young adults worldwide to access economic opportunities by 2030, the NESCAFÉ® Plan aims to provide coffee farming training up to 25,000 young adults in Honduras.
Nestlé is commited to helping 10 million young people worldwide to access economic opportunities by 2030
Helping fuel Hearts and Minds with Coffee Farming training
While studying agricultural topics in his high school, Cesar took the opportunity to join the Youth initiative. “Ever since I was young, I used to dream of who I would become and the goals I might reach,” he explains. “Here in Comayagua, I knew that coffee was my future.” He jumped at the opportunity.
With classes held at Coffee Quality Competence Centers like the one in the municipality of La Libertad, as well as remotely, the 80-hour training program teaches coffee knowledge and entrepreneurship. An on-site plant nursery and a solar drier allows for hands-on lessons about cultivation and harvesting. A designated preparation area allows students to learn about coffee properties, extraction methods, roasting, grinding and cup tasting.
A holistic approach to farming sees the students schooled in running a modern business. Alongside lessons in agricultural practices, harvesting and crop care, they learn about engineering techniques, methods for improving coffee quality and computer skills.
“One of our best modules was about motivation and perseverance,” says Cesar. “That really resonated, because we were all balancing the stresses of home and school. We had excellent talks about leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It was incredible to feel the support of people who did not ask for anything in return."
With classes held at Coffee Quality Competence Centers like the one in the municipality of La Libertad, as well as remotely, the 80-hour training program teaches coffee knowledge and entrepreneurship. An on-site plant nursery and a solar drier allows for hands-on lessons about cultivation and harvesting. A designated preparation area allows students to learn about coffee properties, extraction methods, roasting, grinding and cup tasting.
A holistic approach to farming sees the students schooled in running a modern business. Alongside lessons in agricultural practices, harvesting and crop care, they learn about engineering techniques, methods for improving coffee quality and computer skills.
“One of our best modules was about motivation and perseverance,” says Cesar. “That really resonated, because we were all balancing the stresses of home and school. We had excellent talks about leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It was incredible to feel the support of people who did not ask for anything in return."
Nestlé is commited to helping 10 million young people worldwide to access economic opportunities by 2030
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