Welcome to Dole’s organic banana project in Peru! This is a unique and exciting venture involving a community of small-scale farmers.
With support from Dole, they have converted low-input local agriculture into a thriving organic banana export business that is producing tremendous economic and social benefits for their community.
Where are we?
We are in the Chira River Valley near the city of Sullana, in the state of Piura, 650 kilometers north of Lima. This region of Peru is semi-desert but the dry climate is perfect for growing organic bananas. A government-operated irrigation system of canals has turned the fields into an oasis where most traditional banana diseases – which thrive in hot and humid conditions – are unable to develop.
We are just south of the equator here and the sun is fiercely hot. In fact, growing conditions are so good that these organic bananas can compete with the best conventionally-grown bananas.
A very special farm
Our farm is different from established banana plantations around the world. Supported by Dole Peru – Copdeban, it is an association of more than 200 small independent banana growers called APPBOSA (Asociación de Pequeños Productores de Banano Orgánico de Samán y Anexos). Each individual farmer cultivates on average little more than 1 hectare.
The association is organic certified under EU 2092/91 for European Union markets and certified by FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organization) Cert for Fairtrade standards. 30% of farmers also have EurepGAP certification – a standard that measures good agricultural practice – now known as GlobalGap
Creating new jobs
About 1200 people live in the community around APPBOSA farms. Because of the success of the banana program, many new activities have developed in parallel, such as transport services and radio communications. This has added to the number and variety of jobs available.
Raising farmers’ income...
In fact Dole Peru – Copdeban had already started operations in 2001, processing, purchasing and exporting organic bananas from more than 1500 small farmers in the Chira River Valley. At the same time, our company provided them with technical assistance and training on organic production, food safety, quality assurance, harvesting and fruit handling.
The export operation started with a few boxes per week and grew steadily. Today, we export more than 2 million boxes of fresh organic bananas from Peru a year.
...by moving up the production chain
Dole Peru - Copdeban used to buy fruit “hanging on the plant” before harvesting, packing and exporting it.
Since 2006, we have been working with the APPBOSA farmers association to help individual growers move up the chain – from being just producers to becoming producers and packers.
This enables farmers to obtain higher prices for their fruit which in turn elevates their income and standard of living.
Fairtrade certification also brings important benefits. The association receives a $1 premium for every APPBOSA box of bananas that Dole exports and sells in the Fairtrade market.
Social farm programs
Higher farmer income is not the only factor driving prosperity and development in the region. The farm association uses its revenue to develop economic, social and environmental projects in the farm community.
The health center has been upgraded with dental equipment and all farm members can receive training on agriculture and specific working skills.
Community support
The association also finances social programs for the whole community surrounding the farms: from a healthcare fund and road improvements to school funding and Christmas gift baskets. Environmental initiatives include a waste management program, wells improvement and an environmental management plan.