Banana cableway sets an example in Peru

The Association of Small Producers of Saman and Anexos (APPBOSA) has been Fairtrade certified since the end of 2003. They have used the Fairtrade Premium to construct a cableway to transport their bananas from the trees to the packing stations.

Back in 2003, when around a hundred farmers founded Asociación de Productores de Saman y Anexos (APPBOSA), they never dreamed that five years later their association would be the first to have a banana transport cableway in Peru.

APPBOSA members possess small parcels of land, almost entirely used for banana production.  Thanks to the cableway, the farmers no longer carry the bunches of bananas on their backs from the tree to the packing station. The cableway takes the strain, improving efficiency and cutting costs. The new system also increases the percentage of non-blemished fruit suitable for export.

Fairtrade premium and personal determination

The installation of the cableway in April 2008 was only possible thanks to the determination of APPBOSA members and the extra money that they have received through the Fairtrade Premium.

“Consumers can be certain that the Fairtrade Premium has been used in a responsible manner to help strengthen our organization. I invite them to come to Peru and see it themselves." Valentín Ruíz, APPBOSA member

“Consumers can be certain that the Fairtrade Premium has been used in a responsible manner to help strengthen our organization. I invite them to come to Peru and see it themselves,” said Valentín Ruíz, a member of APPBOSA. 

The Association has been Fairtrade certified since the end of 2003 and has been receiving Fairtrade Premium since April 2004. The cableway is the latest in a series of productivity improvements.

In December 2007, APPBOSA opened a plant to pack their bananas for export, supported by the FLO Producer Business Unit and their exporter.

An inspiring example

APPBOSA is inspiring other banana producer organizations located in Valle del Chira, on the northern coast of Peru. They are now planning similar projects, so hopefully cableways will become a common sight in Valle del Chira. 

For more information, visit the APPBOSA website.