Colombian govt pledges US$2M to coffee sector

Colombia’s Minister of Commerce Industry and Tourism, María Claudia Lacouture, has announced funding of more than US$2 million to the coffee growing sector through Innpulsa, a project that foments innovation and entrepreneurship.  Lacouture made her announcement at the 83rd National Coffee Growers Congress, where she encouraged growers to innovate, add value to coffee production and foment youth participation. Successful participants must present innovative and entrepreneurial projects that contribute to generational knowledge transfer and that improve rural Colombia´s living conditions. “We are fomenting innovation and entrepreneurship. Innpulsa is offering a new and unique opportunity, worth over US$2 million, that is exclusive for coffee growers. Applications will be received starting January 2017,” Lacouture said. Lacouture explained that the initiative is part of the Ministry's redefined eight-angle portfolio strategy that encompasses technology transfer, better financing, the modernisation of quality standards, production chains, foreign trade and sustainability, among others.