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Apía Association of Banana Farmers

Systematization of experiences

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Santiago, Chile ;

Pages 40 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Booklet

Synopsis (short abstract) Apía Association of Banana Farmers – ASOPLAPÍA has been operating in the Municipality of Apía, Colombia, since 1998. It is an association of small banana producers that has become one of the main suppliers of this product in the municipality (40 percent of Apía’s banana production comes from this association). When it was founded in 1998, its 20 members sold approximately 380 000 kilograms for USD 22 800, yearly, and in 2021, the sales of 106 members reached 1 073 100 kg, which translates into income of over USD 184 000 yearly. This is to say that in 24 years the association quadrupled the amount of fruit they sell. The members have participated in different types of markets, be it selling fresh fruit directly to consumers, to wholesalers, to agribusiness companies, and to supermarkets. They were then able to consolidate sales to stable and secure buyers, with whom they have been working for over five years. It is worth noting in this brief description that ASOPLAPÍA has a sound associative and business-like trajectory. In time, the association has achieved proper financial management under the responsibility of an accountant, and it has a considerable level of women’s participation (21 percent). Women also actively participate in decision-making spheres of the organization. Presently, ASOPLAPÍA offers a broad range of services for its members, such as picking up production at the farms for transportation (collection), a self-managed fund, education, savings, and technical assistance.

Cite this content as:

FAO. 2024. Apía Association of Banana Farmers – Systematization of experiences. Santiago.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0746en

Language English

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