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Belén de Umbría Blackberry Producers' Association

Learning note

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Santiago, Chile ;

Pages 4 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Synopsis (short abstract) This document reviews the growth and development of the Belén de Umbría Blackberry Producers Association (ASMOBEL) in Colombia, emphasizing its adaptation to the challenges faced by small-scale farmers. Initially supported by public and private sector partnerships, ASMOBEL developed a robust model for blackberry production, overcoming dependency on coffee cultivation and establishing stability through diversified income sources. The association's collaboration with entities like Postobón secured reliable, long-term sales agreements for its members, providing stability and fair pricing.ASMOBEL has strengthened its internal management by implementing accounting systems and forming steering committees for fund management, supported by rural development programs. This progress allowed the association to handle projects and finances more efficiently, enhancing transparency and member confidence in the organization’s leadership. Consistent technical assistance and capacity-building efforts have been essential to sustaining these management improvements.The association’s success highlights the importance of external support and continuous training. ASMOBEL’s partnership with organizations such as the National Coffee Growers Federation, SENA, and ASOHOFRUCOL has enabled it to build resilience and drive economic opportunities for local producers. ASMOBEL now stands as a model for small agricultural organizations, showing how structured support and effective management can open new market opportunities for rural communities.

Language English

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    Belén de Umbría Blackberry Producers' Association has been operating in the Municipality of Belén de Umbría since 2006. It is an association of small blackberry farmers who from the outset – with 20 members who did not own land – sold approximately 38 400 kg of fruit per year for USD 18 100. Presently (2021) the association is made up of 40 producers (six of them women) and has increased its sales to 161 323 kg per year, which translates into income from sales of over USD 90 340. This is to say that in 15 years, they have quadrupled sales. One of the keys to their development has been the establishment of a commercial relationship with an agribusiness company, Postobón, since 2009. This has provided them with a certain degree of certainty as to sales, given that demand has been constant, prices have been agreed on, and the terms are complied with through payments in the established timeframes. Worth noting in this brief description is the fact that ASMOBEL has a sound associative and business trajectory. Thanks to its important role in the municipality, the association has received support from various entities, such as the financing of a cold room, and ultra-freeze machines, and is presently in the process of purchasing a 168-hectare farm for the association.
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