Leodán Sosa and Nelson Velasco

Leodán and Nelson’s Work with Farmers

By Lauren Morris

Leodán Sosa García and Nelson Velasco Flores aren’t just coffee farmers. They’re also promoters – young leaders working with Producers Direct to help farmers sell their crops, improve their farms, and earn more from their work. At Chirinos Cooperative, their role is simple but crucial.  They cut out middlemen, connect producers to better markets and make farming a viable way to make a living.

“My favourite part is heading out to the field, interacting with producers, and creating relationships with them,” says Leodán.

“Using the technology provided by Farm Direct, we tell them about the project, and those we’ve been working with are motivated because it’s substantial support,” he adds.

This means higher prices for farmers and fresher produce for buyers. With Farm Direct, an app developed by Producers Direct, they’re able to match supply with demand in real time, making the whole process smoother.

Nelson has seen how much easier this makes things for farmers.”

“When there are products available, they call us, we list them, we contact the customer directly. We’re cutting down time and costs for farmers.”

Beyond sales, Leodán and Nelson work with farmers to improve their production. Whether it’s better soil management or planting more resilient coffee varieties, education is key.

“You need to view the farm as a business, not just something romantic,” says Leodán. “Most young people leave, but some of us stay because we see the potential to create something for ourselves, to be our own boss, and to experiment with new ways of farming.”

Many young people leave the countryside in search of better opportunities in the city. Nelson understands why – urban life offers education, healthcare, and infrastructure that rural areas often lack. But for him, the countryside offers something cities can’t. “The countryside is safer, you feel more at ease.”

Cafédirect’s work, alongside Producers Direct, is focused on making sure farming pays fairly and gives young farmers a future. By investing in programmes like Farm Direct and the Centre of Excellence, they’re helping farmers sell smarter, grow better, and keep coffee farming alive.