In the foothills of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Indigenous Arhuaco organization ASOSEYNEKUN brings together 437 Indigenous and farming families in the municipality of Pueblo Bello, Cesar.

Founded in 2006 as the Seynekun Foundation and formally established as an association in 2010, ASOSEYNEKUN is rooted in the Arhuaco principles of associativity, sustainability and respect for culture and Mother Earth. For its members, farming is closely connected to the protection of the land that sustains them.

Since its beginnings, the organization has worked to conserve the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, focusing on protecting ecosystems, maintaining soil fertility and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Its approach is strongly guided by ancestral knowledge passed down through generations of Arhuaco elders.

The organization’s 437 producer families form a diverse farming community: all cultivate coffee, 263 also produce cocoa, and 102 grow sugarcane for panela. Of these families, 267 are organically certified. Women play an important role in the organization too, with 160 women and 277 men among its members, contributing to both production and decision-making.

For ASOSEYNEKUN, agriculture is more than a livelihood. It is a way of preserving Arhuaco culture, caring for Mother Earth and ensuring that the Sierra Nevada remains healthy and productive for generations to come.