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Meet Idaly Calderón Robles — the coffee farmer

Do you start your day with a cup of coffee? Chances are, it was grown by a smallholder like Idaly. The global coffee industry is valued at nearly $200 billion, yet 5 million smallholder farmers earn less than $3.50 a day, living below the poverty line.

Idaly has spent her entire life working on her family’s coffee farm. However, cultural norms prevent her from being recognized as a "coffee farmer." This lack of recognition means she misses out on training, leadership roles, and access to capital. As a result, she must rely on outdated farming practices.

Challenges

  • The global coffee price has stagnated at around $1 per pound for decades.

  • Idaly's income and living standards are lower than those of previous generations.

  • Producing higher-quality coffee and acquiring modern equipment are crucial for improving earnings.

Idaly’s situation is not unique; millions of women in the coffee industry face similar struggles.

Bean Voyage is driving equity in the coffee industry by removing barriers for female smallholders in Costa Rica and Mexico.