In the little town of Polo, Barahona Province, coffee growing is becoming a major activity. Both specialists and coffee growers agree that free trade is a good opportunity to do good business, and consolidation can help the process. In Polo, the growers are looking for ways that will allow them to penetrate the market with their products. For these people, organic coffee growing was the way forward. The Organic Coffee Growers Cooperative of Polo generated almost US$150,000 last year, exporting organic coffees to Europe.
For a population deep in the heart of the Bahoruco mountain range, where 70% live below the poverty line, this is a good start. Coporino Feliz, the president of the co-op, says that coffee took off about three years ago, when the Institute for Associated Economic Activities (IDEAC), and other organizations set up the basis for the organization. Exports have grown from 280 qq. (quintals = 100 pounds) to over 1,000 qq.
Nicolas Cruz, the IDEAC project coordinator, says that the coffee growers are also planting lime, avocado and tangerine trees to avoid being trapped in a monoculture where a fall in prices could ruin the co-op.