At a Glance
Location: Santipo, Peru
Impact Areas: Labor Inclusion, Environment, Sustainable Income
People Supported:
Indigenous Communities, Small-scale Farmers, Women
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2023
Overview
Kemito Ene is an Indigenous-led cooperative of producers of the Asháninka nationality, from the Ene River basin, dedicated to the sustainable production and marketing of certified organic and fair-trade cacao beans, cacao-derived products (such as cacao nibs, cacao paste, cacao powder, among others), chocolate, and roasted and ground coffee beans. The cooperative works to protect and preserve the rich biodiversity of an Andean Amazon region while conserving the traditional Ashánkina way of life in harmony with nature, known as kametsa asaike.
Kemito Ene produces under agroforestry systems, which help to recover forests degraded by logging and coca cultivation. This effort benefits important areas of primary forests, as the native communities of the Ene River Valley are located in the buffer zone of two protected natural areas: the Asháninka Communal Reserve and the Otishi National Park.
Founded in 2011, Kemito Ene currently supports over 350 Indigenous producers, including young adults and women. It provides much-needed protection for its members against intermediaries who acquire their products at low prices or in unequal exchanges, offering its members a legitimate and economically sustainable livelihood alternative.
With support from Kemito Ene, Indigenous workers are able to produce high-quality cacao beans that meet the demands of the global market and sell them directly for higher prices. Increased financial stability helps these forest-dwelling families to afford basic living products, including food and clothing, and access essential healthcare and education.
Kemito Ene has received several awards, including the Equator Prize 2019 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for its environmentally responsible, sustainable development practices and its efforts to provide Indigenous communities with the tools and resources to keep the Amazon forest standing. This indigenous enterprise is endorsed by the Central Asháninka of the Ene River Basin (CARE).
Results & Impact
350
Asháninka producers of cacao and coffee supported
200%
increase in women Asháninka permanent staff by 2025
470
hectares of landscapes under sustainable practices (organic certification) by 2025
“We are delighted to be working alongside NESsT and receiving support from its dedicated team that goes above and beyond to strengthen our economic model. As an Indigenous cooperative, we are aware of the many challenges and obstacles we face, but the technical support they provide us with is invaluable as we continue moving forward and working for the benefit of the 350 Ashaninka families in the Ene River basin.”
NESsT Investment
With the global cacao market expected to reach sales of USD$ 13.5 billion in 2025, Kemito Ene has identified an opportunity to expand its production capacity and access growing national and international markets, including clients that buy in larger volumes.
NESsT and IBD’s investment, in partnership with AIDESEP, will support Kemito Ene to adapt its supply model to increase capacity five-fold and reduce transport and operating costs by 75%. Investing in new machinery and training for local Asháninka communities will allow producers to ferment and dry cacao beans on their farms and thus access higher income when selling to the cooperative. Kemito Ene will also automate quality control activities at its site in Satipo, further enhancing its selection efficiency.
Additionally, NESsT will connect Kemito Ene with potential investors to support its efforts to boost production capacity, with an additional focus on expanding its line of specialty cacao-derived and coffee products. Furthermore, NESsT will provide Kemito Ene with business assistance in financial management, corporate governance, and tracking of environmental and social impact, supporting the cooperative to prepare for additional investments.
Photos: ©Daniel Martínez