ASOCALIMA

Association of farmers

Santa Rosa, Sur de Bolivar

This project offers an excellent alternative as a substitute for illicit cultivations for the 160 families which are already members and 150 families who are in the process of signing-up to the association.

Vision:

"To obtain a solid organization that promotes a sustainable regional economy in Sur de Bolivar, that is based on the production of agricultural goods and the organized marketing of the region's main products. Effective assistance by the organization shall ensure efficient production and successful marketing to fair prices, with the products obtaining an important place on specialized national- and international markets and shall contribute to the substitution of illicit cultivations and the achievement of peaceful community life in our region."

Mission:

ASOCALIMA looks for the best possible representation of the associated products, to kick-off, and assist in, the organized production and commercialization of the same, which is competitive and profitable and fits within the alternative development framework of sustainability and a peaceful community life.

Objectives and activities:

The association was created on 24 August 1996 with the aim of assisting in, and promoting the production, marketing and industrial transformation of, agricultural products. The scope of its activities encompasses the municipalities of Santa Rosa del Sur, Simiti, Morales and San Pablo in the department of Bolivar.

The association's objectives are as follows:

A. To look after production, commercialization, transformation and distribution of the agricultural products in the municipalities of the area and the whole region. The association will put emphasize on the commercialization of the products of its associates.

B. To promote programs that contribute to the agricultural development, hence, that improve the quality of life of its members.

C. To promote agricultural activities and the best use of natural resources.

The principal activity that has been developed up to this stage is the commercialization of runner beans and the assistance in the production of the same.

Social base:

From the day of its creation, ASOCALIMA has maintained relations with some governmental units and non-governmental organizations that have assisted processes like the organization, management, marketing and development of products with increment value. Amongst those, special mention should be made of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Pan American Development Organization (FUPAD), the Office of the Columbian First Lady, and Proexport.

Commercial development:

The commercialization of the running bean has been taking place since 1997 in the principle market places of the country like, for instance, Bogota, Medellin, Manizales, Pereira, Girardot and Cali. They are sold in bags of 62.6 kg of loose beans and, with the help of the United Nations, an agreement could be reached with Carrefour to accept two varieties of running beans on their list of products. Thus, since three years the brands of running beans called Calima and Radical have been sold in Carrefour in measures of kg and pounds, and the brand Radical has currently been requested to be taken-up in four varieties to be sold in gramms like the various developed types of tinned running beans with bacon (Calima and Radical), which come in 580 grams and 380 grams and which are currently developed by small satellite industries.

The running bean is marketed together with several types of imported beans (peas, lentils, chickpeas, sweetcorn, pira sweetcorn) as well as national barley and rice, which are packed under their own brand names and are distributed in Santa Rosa and in the municipalities of Simiti, San Pablo and Puerto Wilches. Distribution of grain is also initiated in Bogota under a contract signed between ASOCALIMA and an association called SUPERALKO under its own brand name for different types of grain, which are distributed in 21 outlets in Bogota and Girardot.

Products:

• Calima beans 
• Radical beans
• Carahota beans

ASOCALIMA PRODUCTS

CANNING

SOLD IN BAGS

Radical Sold in bags of 1/2 Kgr y 1 kgr

Carahota Sold in bags of 1/2 Kgr y 1 kgr

Calima Sold in bags of 1/2 Kgr y 1 kgr