In the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia, the Entresierras Association of Farmers of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Serranía del Perijá brings together smallholder farmers working to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.

Legally established in 2018, Entresierras currently represents and supports 150 producers, 46 of whom are women. Coffee remains at the heart of the association’s work. Its farmers hold organic and Fairtrade certifications, and during the 2025 harvest, Entresierras marketed 263,000 kg of coffee. The organization aims to increase this to 400,000 kg in 2026.

But Entresierras is looking beyond coffee. To strengthen its resilience against market fluctuations and seasonal changes, the association has begun diversifying into cocoa. Today, 22 producers manage 80 hectares of cocoa, including two organically certified producers and 20 farmers currently transitioning to organic production. These farmers are expected to obtain organic certification by October 2026.

With projected cocoa production of around 28,000 kg by the end of 2026, this growing cocoa value chain is opening new opportunities for farmers while complementing Entresierras’ established coffee business.

For Entresierras, diversification is not simply about producing another crop. It is about building stronger livelihoods, expanding market opportunities and creating a more resilient future for farming families in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.