While many coffee producers choose to control the entirety of their production process, from growing to grinding, many also choose to become part of cooperative organizations, also called co-ops. Coffee co-ops are made up of many small farmers that sell their coffee crop to one processing company that then can either resell the coffee after certain steps in the production process or market final products under their own name. The farmers must pay small membership dues in return for being allowed to participate in the co-op, which for some is seen as a disadvantage of joining one of these organizations. Other downsides to membership include decreased control over one’s coffee crop due to all member farmers getting a voice in the decision-making process and higher vulnerability to failure if the co-op does not do well financially because the co-op restricts farmers from selling to any other organizations.
However, there are also many benefits that co-ops provide to member farmers. For example, farmers receive short-term financial security from the co-ops, since they are guaranteed to accept their coffee crop as long as certain requirements are met. Coffee farmers are also protected from price exploitation since the co-ops have set prices for each amount of coffee that is sold to them. Finally, producers do not have to invest a lot of money into milling, roasting, and grinding equipment because the co-op provides these services.
Regardless of the advantages and disadvantages provided to coffee farmers in the Santa Maria de Dota region, it is hard to argue that the area would be exactly the same if Coopedota had not existed. If there were no co-op in this region, the small farmers who are currently part of the co-op would have to either invest in expensive machinery to produce their own coffee or sell to unstable free market buyers. Both of these factors could put the farms at risk of failing due to economic issues. Additionally, farmers in the Santa Maria de Dota region would not have the same connection with each other as they now do. Coopedota brings all of these farmers together under a common flag, promoting unity and fair competition among them. Thus, I believe that the existence of Coopedota has greatly benefitted the Santa Maria de Dota region because it provides invaluable benefits and stability to small coffee farmers who would otherwise be put in precarious economic situations.