Colombia - Santander - COMUNEROS - Semi-washed - Organic - by Sail

On this 85-hectare farm, located at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level, Oscar Daza produces organic coffees. He cultivates rust resistant varieties: Castillo, Tabi, Colombia and other susceptible varieties such as Geisha, Wush Wush, Typica, Moka and Maragogype.  

Finca La Pradera is located in Santander region, near Aratoca village, on the hills of the Chicamocha Canyon, "silver river" in indigenous language. 

Oscar Daza promotes agroforestry coffee growing, with more than 15 different species of shade trees protecting his coffee trees. In addition to coffee, Oscar produces plantains, bananas, lemons and eggs from his own chicken farm. Through polyculture, he provides three layers of shade for his coffee trees and additional income.   

We met Oscar Daza, owner of Finca La Pradera in Aratoca (in the region of Santander). After spending his childhood in the heart of the coffee plantations, Oscar has taken the farm over from his grandfather José Rosario Daza, then his father Hector, and is now part of the third generation. Oscar and his wife Mildred are at the head of 13 farms representing 185 hectares. Mildred is at the origin of the Santa Maria project which promotes the production of women's coffee with 5 farms and 80 hectares.  

Oscar is recognised and appreciated in the region. He has received numerous awards for his commitment and work. He is also very involved in local community projects and, in particular, he created "Pilos del café", a coffee-growing project for young people at the Clavellinas school. 

The 4th generation is promising! We spoke to Bryan and Andrea, Oscar's nephew and niece. They are currently studying commerce and communication in the city of Bucaramanga and are keen to take over the family farm from Oscar and Mildred.  

All are certified organic and Bird Friendly. He is the first in the region to finance his own organic certification, which is something the Federation generally pays for. He has an entrepreneurial temperament, and it was this that pushed him to become independent, in order to find his own customers, be free to make his own decisions and manage his production in line with his own vision of coffee growing. Despite a few difficult years spent battling with the Federation, Oscar has finally found his own customers and now sells more than 60% of his production directly for export.