Cocafcal

Cooperativa Cafetalera Capucas Limitada (Cocafcal) or Capucas as they are better known, is situated on and around the Celaque mountain, which is the highest peak in Honduras. Celaque means ‘box of water’ in the local Lenca language, and the mountain is the source for many rivers and streams.

Capucas was founded in 1999 by Jose Omar Rodriguez and takes its name from the local town of Las Capucas. In 2004 Omar was chosen to become the general manager, a role he continues today.

Coffee trees are pruned to a low height so it is easier to pick the cherries, however if its cut too short too soon they fall over. Therefore, the pruning is staggered: in the first year they prune to 180cm, 170cm in the second year, 160cm third year and 150cm in the fourth year; then when the tree is cut down to the bottom, the trunk is strong enough to support the new growth. Gravilea, cedar, liquidambar, citrus fruits and native cedar are the most common forms of shade tree that provide cover from the sun for the coffee.

The cooperative has many initiatives to improve the lives of workers and the local community, for example; they pay for a GP to treat workers for free in their health centre which is in the centre of Las Capucas. In 2016 Capucas partnered with the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) to provide a university education, the virtual classroom was opened in the community of Capucas in a rural part of San Pedro Copan, UNAH provide the technical support, teachers and subject matter for the students. They also have a football academy which is free to join and a virtual library for members, children and partners of Capucas.

The Cooperative works in 12 communities in the municipalities of San Pedro, Copan and Corquin, Copan. In 1999 they had 55 members, and today it has grown to over 75 members with community projects that benefit approximately 2,500 people. Active members are dedicated to growing sustainable conventional, Organic and Fairtrade coffees.

Capucas were the first in the country to build a facility to dry microlots in a large scale with solar dryers.