Ally Guayusa
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Published 16. Sep 2017 by ian in
Guayusa Factory
Investing in locally managed guayusa enterprises

The story of Ricardo Huatoca

Ricardo Huatoca is a guayusa farmer and resident of 24 de Mayo, helped found the guayusa producers’ association in 2011. Under his leadership, 24 de Mayo became of the first fully Fair Trade certified guayusa association. To date, it has invested $2,700 generated from the sale of guayusa into a rotating community development fund. Building on this success, Runa has helped 24 de Mayo construct first Kichwa-owned and operated guayusa processing facility. As part of this project, they have been awarded a $30,000 loan from the CRISFE Foundation to invest in this enterprise, which Ricardo hopes will bring new jobs, skills, and opportunities to his community.