Social Issue

Poverty in Latin America is concentrated in rural areas and according to the World Bank (2010), 33% of Ecuadorians and 39% of Colombians live on less than $4 a day.

Our Response

Terrafertil is a producer of dried fruit in Ecuador and Colombia who actively integrates smallholder farmers into its supply chain. Terrafertil is also pursuing the branding, production, and distribution of healthy snacks in Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico and are currently expanding the distribution of its products globally.

Terrafertil enhances rural prosperity by sourcing fruit from smallholder farmer communities living in the highlands where there are not many other sustainable sources of income.

Terrafertil provides seedlings, training, and a fair price for their produce. It is expected that the growth of both lines of Terrafertil’s business (wholesale dried fruit and its branded snacks) will lead to increased sourcing of fruit from smallholder farmers, providing them with a growing market for their produce and a means to increase their income from agricultural activities.

Expected Social Impact

Terrafertil’s intention is to triple sales in the next four years, which will mean doubling the productivity of farmers in Ecuador and also doubling the number of farmers in Colombia.

Given these growth expectations, we hope that this loan will be able to impact over 80 farmers (300 people) in having a reliable and growing market for their goldenberries and substantially improve their income from agricultural activities.