On the 9th of May, 2009, we had the annual meeting for "AACRI, agro-artisan and coffee farmers of Rio Intag", with a attendance of 232 farmers.
As report of activities of 2008, we had help to make four bridges that connect with other communities. Not driveable, but you can walk, go on horse or bike.
We started work on a microbiology lab, which is open on the 22th of May, 2009 with a celebration. The Microbiology lab is there to find local and self determined solutions for the farming problems (without any chemical or pesticides).
we also had a report of lots and lots of lost crops on plantations and coffee farming mountains because of the harsh winter.
We are going to have about 40000 Pound of coffee less for this year 2009 as result of the harsh winter (approximately).
Another report of the 2008 was about the support of TAWANTINSUYU Direct Trade Int. Worker's Coop! Kichwa coffee in Canada, in the same country where the mining corporations are from!
Carlos Teran Participated on behalf of everyone who are a part of TAWANTINSUYU. Carlos led a discussion about the differences between FAIR TRADE and DIRECT TRADE.
Carlos says that "All of the farmers are up to do everything necessary to do direct trade of the product with added value".
"Our goal for the 2009 is sell less green bean and sell more roasted and ground coffee, of course, hand picked once the coffee beans are really ripe!", reported Carlos Teran.
The next thing on the Cafe Rio Intag annual farmer's meeting was in regards to new and honoured members.
We had about 25 farmer who had become new members of AACRI, aggro-artisan and coffee farmers of Rio Intag!
NOW, HERE IS THE BEST PART!
ALL CANADIAN MEMBERS WHO ARE PART OF TAWANTINSUYU DIRECT TRADE COOP. ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST HONORED MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION, BECAUSE THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING WITH US ON THE SAME PURE LAND WHERE THE MINING CORPS ARE FROM..
SO EVERYBODY PUT THEIR HAND TOGETHER FOR THEM FOR A REALLY GOOD TIME!
The next thing on agenda for the 2009 meeting was an election of the new board of directors.
In less than five minutes we had relected the same president again for 2 more years, Edmundo Guevara, while the rest of the board members are new ones.
Then we had a small celebration with delicious local food and some drinks!
Now Tawantinsuyu Ecuador is starting to coordinate socially conscious events agaisnt mining and supporting alternative actvities with Malcolm, the director of Under Rich Earth from Canada.
We are having presentations of Under Rich Earth on the 22nd of May at the opening of the micro-biology lab and on the 23th at one of the university Otavalo!
