The San Ignacio Border Agricultural Cooperative (COOPAFSI) is an organization that has been carrying out mutual support activities with the Tabaconas Namballe National Sanctuary, with which they maintain a Conservation Agreement, in the districts of San Ignacio and Namballe in the Province of San Ignacio, Cajamarca.
This cooperative organizes the work of the 'Ladies of St. Ignatius', a group of 81 women partners and leaders working in the sustainable production of coffee and honey. This group of women has found in beekeeping an opportunity not only to obtain an economic benefit, but also to open up a space for themselves in the labor field.
Due to its importance for women's empowerment and for representing a sustainable opportunity, this organization was one of the winners in the Entrepreneurs by Nature Contest, promoted by Profonanpe, Environmental Fund of Peru, and the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp).
This initiative has allocated More than S/ 650,000 to boost nine Peruvian ventures based on the sustainable use of natural resources in protected natural areas and buffer zones.
With this economic boost, the 'Ladies of San Ignacio' will be able to increase honey production, reforestation efforts, and the number of beehives. This will positively impact and improve the connectivity of the Andean Bear's habitat within the Tabaconas Namballe National Sanctuary. Furthermore, the cooperative's members will strengthen their capacity to improve production quality and diversify their offerings. They will also implement new digital strategies, such as a website, to reach better markets for their products.
