December 2003
EMPOWERING SUGAR


Cooperativa Montillo is a group of 52 small sugar cane producers based in a remote region of Paraguay. Initially founded to improve production, credits and achieve better trading conditions, the Cooperative has benefited much from Fairtrade and the premium it receives. Prices for sugar cane are usually very low, so the premium received from Fairtrade is crucial. The Committee of Cooperativa Montillo manages the premium, 50% of which is divided between the producers, and 50% of which goes towards projects. The first significant amount of premium was received in 2001, and has been used to build an office for Cooperativa Montillo, something which it had needed and had previously lacked the capital for (earlier having had to use the telephone and email services of Cooperativa Manduvira who it works closely with). In addition the premium went towards a base for a crane to pick sugar cane. In 2003 further premium money was invested in a weighing machine, an electricity transformer, a two-way radio, and in a hectare of land.



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