Cutervo

This community lot originates from Cutervo in Cajamarca, northern Peru. Cutervo has excellent varieties, fertile soils, respect for the environment, and passionate farmers dedicated to their craft. In Santo Domingo de la Capilla, agriculture (mainly potatoes, corn, yucca, and sugarcane) and cattle farming have traditionally been the main economic activities. Coffee cultivation is relatively new here and in the broader Cutervo area, beginning around 2010 when associations started providing guidance on good practices. The leaf rust outbreak in 2013-2014 hit Peru hard, including Cutervo, especially at lower altitudes. This forced farmers to move their production higher into the hills, which improved quality as cherries developed in a cooler environment.