At a Glance
Location: Cajamarca and Amazonas, Peru
Impact Areas: Income Generation, Sustainable Agriculture
People Supported:
Smallholder Farmers, Women
NESsT Program: Lirio Fund
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2026
Overview
Founded in 2019, Asociación de Productores Agropecuarios Gold Coffee Perú (Gold Coffee) is a fast-growing producer association that helps smallholder coffee farmers in northern Peru build more resilient livelihoods through a combination of market access, technical assistance, and environmental stewardship. What began with 135 producers has grown into a network of approximately 575 members across the regions of Cajamarca and Amazonas, creating economic opportunities for farming families who often face barriers to finance, technical support, and higher-value markets.
At the heart of Gold Coffee’s model is the belief that smallholder farmers can thrive when they are connected to reliable buyers, equipped with the knowledge to improve productivity and quality, and supported in protecting the natural resources on which their livelihoods depend. The organization provides producers with ongoing technical assistance on organic production, soil management, pest and disease control, post-harvest practices, and climate-resilient agriculture while helping them meet international certification standards and access premium markets.
Gold Coffee's commercial model enables producers to participate more effectively in certified and specialty coffee value chains. Through long-term relationships with domestic and international buyers, the association creates stable market opportunities that help farmers earn better and more predictable incomes while reducing reliance on informal intermediaries. The organization’s continued growth demonstrates the value that producers place on both its commercial support and its commitment to strengthening producer livelihoods.
Environmental stewardship is fully integrated into this approach. Gold Coffee promotes agroforestry systems, forest conservation, water source protection, sustainable waste management, and organic production practices that improve climate resilience while safeguarding biodiversity. Through its socio-environmental management system and certification programs, the organization helps producers build more productive farms while preserving the ecosystems that sustain rural communities.
Results & Impact
575
smallholder coffee farmers supported
32%
of association members are women
100%
guaranteed purchase of cotton output from small-holder farmers, reducing income volatility
NESsT Investment
NESsT’s investment and business support are helping Gold Coffee expand its ability to serve smallholder producers, strengthen its commercial operations, and continue building an inclusive and sustainable coffee value chain in northern Peru. By increasing access to markets, improving producer support services, and reinforcing environmental sustainability, the partnership is helping create long-term prosperity for coffee-growing communities. .