World Coffee Producers Forum facts for kids
The World Coffee Producers Forum (WCPF) is a group that helps coffee farmers around the world. It is a not-for-profit organization. Their main goal is to understand and fix problems in the coffee industry, especially for the people who grow and produce the raw coffee beans.
The first big meeting happened in Medellín, Colombia, in 2017. At this meeting, they created a document with seven important decisions. One decision was to make a plan to help farmers who were getting very low prices for their coffee. People from about 40 different coffee-growing countries attended. Important leaders like former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos also spoke.
During the meeting, everyone talked about how important coffee farming is in many countries. President Clinton often said that 'coffee is an anchor for development.' This means that supporting the coffee industry, by investing in training and better tools, helps poor farmers. A strong coffee industry helps communities grow and become more stable.
I think we need to see coffee as the anchor of a more stable, rural society. In a difficult area like Colombia, it can help people move away from violence. In an area facing money problems, it can help people earn a living where they grew up. This means they don't have to move to cities, which can put more pressure on government resources. We need to do this with constant training and more affordable supplies, especially if we buy a lot. We also need better ways to deliver and sell the coffee.
Coffee farming is very important for many communities. About 70% to 80% of the world's coffee is grown by small farmers. These farmers usually work on small pieces of land, about 2 hectares (5 acres). In many countries, the coffee industry makes up less than 10% of the country's total income. These numbers show that many small farmers live in poverty. The forum wanted to find ways that governments and non-governmental organizations could help these farmers.
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History of the Forum
The WCPF first met in Medellín, Colombia, in July 2017. Nearly 1,500 people from over 40 countries came together. The main goal was to talk about how to make the global coffee industry fair and lasting. They also discussed why coffee farmers' incomes were going down.
Why the Forum Started
One key topic was the need to help farmers earn more money. This would happen by working with everyone involved in the coffee supply chain. They hoped this would lead to more people buying coffee and higher prices for farmers. Other discussions included the impact of climate change and how to grow more coffee in producing countries.
In April 2018, the WCPF announced they were officially becoming a not-for-profit organization. This group would work to make sure coffee farmers have a stable income. It would also raise awareness about the challenges in the coffee industry, especially for growers.
Forum Events
2017 Meeting in Colombia
The first forum was held in Medellín, Colombia, in July 2017. Around 1,500 people from over 40 different coffee-growing countries attended. Speakers included leaders from the coffee industry, economists, and leaders from several Latin American countries. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was also a speaker.
Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs was a main speaker. The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) asked his team to study how to improve incomes for small coffee farmers. Professor Sachs shared the results of this study at the forum.
Topics Discussed
The forum focused on how coffee connects with sustainable development. This included making sure farmers could earn a living, helping rural areas grow, and understanding social and economic factors. They also talked about how to adapt to climate change. The forum used group discussions and working sessions. This way, experts and attendees, including many coffee farmers, could talk and share ideas. It was not just about lectures.
2019 Meeting in Brazil
After deciding to become a not-for-profit group, the next event was held on July 10 and 11, 2019. It took place in Campinas, Brazil. At this meeting, the organization released a statement on July 11, 2019. It said that there is now "worldwide awareness to the need for economic sustainability in global coffee supply." This means more people around the world understand that coffee farmers need to earn enough money to live.
