Mitsubishi Corporation donates USD 100,000 to Forester Families Program

• Launched in 2008, the program is a joint initiative by the FNC, the Colombian Government, local authorities, and other actors including Mitsubishi. 

Bogotá, March 18, 2016 (FNC Press Office) – At a meeting with Roberto Vélez, CEO of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), the Japanese company Mitsubishi Corporation donated USD 100,000 to the Forester Families Program.

Launched in 2008, it is a joint initiative by the FNC, the Government of Colombia, local authorities, and other actors including Mitsubishi. 

The Forester Families Program benefits 2,880 smallholder coffee producers in the departments of Nariño, Huila, Cauca, Tolima, Magdalena, La Guajira, Norte de Santander, Boyacá and Santander.

It trains and develops skills of smallholders and improves post-harvesting procedures and infrastructure while preserving the environment. 

In July 2008, Mitsubishi signed a memorandum of understanding with the Colombian Government and the FNC, the company agreeing to support coffee growers in Norte de Santander for 10 years through production infrastructure and environmental protection training.

In May 2015, Mitsubishi bought 550 high-quality, single-origin coffee bags (of 70-kg, equivalent to 3 million cups) from 288 coffee growers in Norte de Santander, a milestone given that Japan had traditionally been known for importing blended coffee.

The Mitsubishi Corporation committed to continuing supporting Colombian coffee smallholders along with the Colombian Government, the FNC, and other relevant actors, contributing to alleviate poverty, reduce illicit crops, and foster development.

As a result of its transparency and effectiveness, the FNC has become a strategic partner in implementing public-private partnerships and social development programs and projects funded both with domestic and international resources.