At a Glance
Location: Colombia
Impact Areas: Income generation, Rural Livelihoods,
People Supported: Rural, Women
Joined NESsT Lirio Fund:
2023
Overview
In Cundinamarca, Colombia, where approximately 25% of the local population live below the poverty line, the flower production market stands as a vital pillar of the region's economy. It provides about 67,000 jobs, with 65% of these held by rural women who are heads of their families.
Based in Cundinamarca, Flores Cattleya SAS (“Cattleya”) manages 18 hectares of land to produce and sell roses for export to the US. Cattleya currently employs 350 individuals, primarily from the nearby rural towns of Suesca and Sesquilé, providing them with a stable source of income and fair wages. Over 50% of Cattleya’s workforce are women who are the primary earners of their families.
Cattleya strives to support the wellbeing of its workers and the local community through various programs for employees and their families, including health and education initiatives, and community engagement and conservation projects. The company also covers its employees’ food and transport costs, offers incentives for productivity and performance, and runs weekly training sessions for staff, supporting the professional development of its employees.
Cattleya has implemented various procedures to make its operations more sustainable and reduce its environmental footprint. To cut down on overall water consumption, the company built its own reservoir with a closed-loop system, which recycles nutrients and prevents water from being discarded. The Cattleya team also established a waste management program to ensure that any waste generated in its operations is disposed of responsibly. Additionally, the company’s compost facility allows workers to reuse organic flower waste as a soil enricher.
Cattleya closely adheres to government regulations and industry certifications, including the Rainforest Alliance certification, and prioritizes the use of environmentally friendly pest control methods throughout its greenhouses.
“Forming a strategic alliance with NESsT has allowed us to ensure a constant flow of working capital and guarantee stable income for our suppliers, all while reinforcing our commitment to sustainability across our operations.”
Results & Impact
382
workers from underserved communities supported by 2028
32.5%
above wages earned in informal market
over 50%
of workforce are women who are the primary earners of their families
NESsT Investment
The Lirio Fund’s investment will provide working capital to the enterprise on an as needed-basis to allow Cattleya to provide a constant, reliable supply of flowers to its main client and increase the number of individuals it employs in the local community.
In a region where poverty remains high, Cattleya provides dignified income to hundreds of workers and has successfully implemented sustainable practices in one of Colombia’s most important industries. NESsT will also support Cattleya to reduce its water consumption per hectare and adopt eco-friendly pest control methods.