The coffee sector is one of the main engines of the Honduran economy. And Honduras is one of the largest coffee exporters in the world.
What makes Honduras different from other coffee-growing countries like Brazil is that here a large amount of coffee is produced by thousands of small producers and not just by a few large farms.
This motivates companies like Nestlé and CoHonducafé to work with these small and medium coffee growers, and with the associations and cooperatives that support them. In this way, Honduran families improve the productivity of their farms, the quality of their coffee, and obtain better prices in the market.
Laura Suazo, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock;
Juan Gabriel Reyes, CEO of Nestlé Central America;
Terence Fuschich, President of the CoHonducafé Foundation;
Asley Cruz, Mayor of Siguatepeque;
Kenia Sabillón, our hostess this day;
and coffee growers who accompany us.
Despite good international coffee prices, in recent years, the sector has faced many challenges. Farms have low production, are vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters, and lack strong links to the market. This combination of issues does not allow producers to obtain higher profits.
We firmly believe that the only way to face these and other challenges is to work together with the private sector, municipalities, other local organizations, and the Honduran people.
Through this new alliance between USAID, Nestlé, and CoHonducafé, resources and time will be invested to contribute to the integral development of the coffee sector in Honduras.
This alliance is part of the Nescafé Plan and will directly benefit 7,500 small coffee growers.
These producers will have access to a secure market with fair prices for their coffee, while also promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Our investment in this alliance is part of our development strategy in Honduras to improve the quality of life of Hondurans.
It is important to us that Honduras knows that the United States is a trusted ally and that we are here to help the Honduran people.
The ties that unite us to Honduras are strong.
The Honduran diaspora in the United States is more than one million people. This strengthens our relationship with the Honduran people.
To the women and young people who will benefit from this alliance, I want to say that this project will work with you and for you. In this way, women producers, like Kenia, who has lent us this space today, will be able to generate more income and sustain their farms, their families, and their communities.
To young people who are thinking of migrating because they don’t see opportunities, know that by working in your traditions, in your communities, you CAN build a better future in your country.
Through the Call to Action and Central America Forward, initiatives led by Vice President Kamala Harris, we work with private companies to generate local solutions to local problems, to create economic opportunities for Hondurans.
I thank Kenia, for inspiring us, and for receiving us here at her beautiful farm.
Also to Nestlé, and our partner CoHonducafé and its Foundation, for their commitment to supporting thousands of coffee-growing families who will now have better opportunities to improve their farms and income.
I want to end by calling for more companies to approach us so that together we can design alliances that respond to the great needs of communities to create more and better jobs, greater security, and a better future.
Thank you so much.
