Jose Mejia Paico

In the northern region of Peru, there is the municipality of Jaen in the Province of Cajamarca. Here is where we find the farm Los Cedros owned Jose Mejia Paico. His story in coffee began from an early age at his parent’s farm where they owned some coffee trees although their main activity was cattle raising. In this farm started Jose’s passion for coffee which took him to later having his own farm and coffee trees. Jose Mejia has been producing coffee on his own for over 23 years now and three years ago he made the switch to specialty coffee. With this switch, he recognizes he started to make things much better such as an adequate fertilization, the renovation of older coffee plants and better harvesting processes. As many farms, Jose Mejia works closely with his family – wife and two kids- where each one helps in the farm in all aspects so that they can achieve the great coffee that they produce. “Since I produce specialty coffee, I am recognized for my efforts, and this makes me proud.” Says Jose. Specialty coffee has brought him an increase in his family income which has allowed him to renew some coffee trees, improve infrastructure at the farm and most important, for his kids to have formal education.

His biggest challenges and goals right now are to improve the wet mill and drying beds so that he can keep producing amazing coffees. He also plans to continue renovating some of his coffee plants that have become old. As a final thought, Jose Mejia wants you to visit his farm and learn first-hand the effort he puts in, including the environmentally friendly practices.