At a Glance
Location: Peru
Impact Areas: Income generation, Employment formality
People Supported:
Smallholder Farmers, Women
NESsT Program:
Lirio Fund
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2025
Overview
In the remote district of Perené in Junín, Peru, small farming families have long relied on coffee for their livelihoods. However, in recent years, climate change and fluctuating market prices have made coffee production increasingly uncertain, leaving many struggling to earn a stable income. Asociación de Productores Agrarios Alto Kivinaki ("Kivinaki”) was founded in 2019 to provide a more sustainable livelihood alternative through organic orange farming.
Kivanaki brings together over 70 small-holder farmers, 30 of whom are women, supporting them to grow and sell organic Valencia oranges. As members of Kivinaki, farmers can access technical support for increasing their orange yields and quality in line with organic farming practices, leading to fewer post-harvest losses. Kivinaki producers also access reliable buyers who pay premium prices for their oranges, earning up to 30% higher earnings than they would through traditional intermediaries.
Beyond fair pricing, Kivinaki invests in the long-term development of its producers. Orange farmers receive regular in-person training in organic and Fair-trade production, soil management, and quality control to meet the demands of buyers that prioritize sustainability and traceability. Women farmers receive specific support in leadership, strengthening their market access, their role in decision-making and supporting their financial independence.
Orange trees can stay productive for up to 40 years. Kivinaki supports the long-term productivity of its members’ farms, which span 436 hectares of land, by prioritizing natural fertilizers that maintain soil health and protect local biodiversity.
Results & Impact
70
small-scale farmers supported
+40%
of small-scale farmers supported are women
50%
of Kivanaki staff are women by 2027
“Before joining Kivinaki, we mostly worked with chemicals [...] and the prices we received never covered our expenses. Joining [Kivinaki] has changed the way we think. Now we take better care of the environment. We protect our land and produce organically. [...] We can also earn more with organic farming and invest in our future.””
NESsT Investment
By operating in an underserved area and focusing on high-value organic production, Kivinaki has earned the trust of local producers and secured strategic local partnerships. Joining the Lirio Fund portfolio is part of the association’s goal to expand into export markets.
NESsT's loan to Kivinaki will support the orange association’s working capital needs, ensuring it can continue to purchase oranges from local producers, securing orders with its local buyers and potential international clients looking to purchase fresh organic Valencia oranges.
NESsT will also provide strategic support to Kivinaki as the association diversifies its income streams through value-added products like orange peel flour, jams, and nectars, furthering contributing to sustainable incomes for smallholder farmers in the Junín region.