From coffee crisis and vulnerability toward empowerment

This paper analyzes the coffee crisis and response in northern Nicaragua. It proposes livelihood vulnerability and gendered empowerment as conceptual approaches to evaluate the complex interactions between farmers, local organizations and sales to Fair Trade, organic and conventional coffee networks. The findings suggest the importance of cooperatives as the key intermediary organizations that can provide spaces for empowerment to member farmers and broker participation in alternative trade and international development networks. The findings also suggest that different organizing practices, including the formation of an all women’s cooperative, can have more influence on livelihood outcomes than farm gate coffee prices. Collectively these case studies show the uneven consequences and appropriations as transnational networks intersect with local organizations and rural livelihood projects. A concluding discussion about certifications, vulnerabilities and the gendered empowerment process show new ways that local organizations engage both civil society and markets in la lucha para la vida. THIS IS CLEARLY A WORK IN PROGRESS PLEASE DO NOT CITE OR QUOTE WITHOUT CONTACTING CHRIS BACON [email protected] PAPER SUBMITTED TO: The Coffee Panel, at the Trading Morsels, Growing Hunger, and Decimating Nature: Linking Food and Trade to Development and the Environment Hosted by: PRINCETON INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL & REGIONAL STUDIES February 21, 2005 Santa Cruz, California