Colombian Federation of Coffee Growers Support Petro’s Plan to Industrialize the Regions

The manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers, German Bahamon, supported President Petro’s proposal to industrialize the regions. Bahamon stated this today in an interview with WRadio. He said that he also agrees with the president’s idea that the geography of coffee has changed.

“This is supply and demand.”

“We cannot expect different results if we keep doing the same thing: exporting raw materials,” said Bahamon, after agreeing with the industrializing diagnosis of the current government. For the coffee growers’ manager, “this is supply and demand,” referring to the basic logic of the economic system.

Essentially, German Bahamon referred to diversification in exports. Colombia has traditionally based its economy on the export of raw materials: oil and natural resources. Agriculture has also played a significant role, but it’s true that the situation in rural areas needs renewal. In this sense, President Petro’s plan is to give unproductive land to farmers so that they can make it productive.

Gustavo Petro has been very clear that the process will be carried out without expropriations; buying unproductive land to make it productive. This aligns with his speech when he took office, emphasizing the new government’s willingness to “develop capitalism.”

Bahamon was resolute and spoke about “exploring other markets and diversifying the export risk.” The manager of the Coffee Growers’ Federation also wanted to make it clear that he speaks freely from his professional position, not as a politician. “I agree with the president that the time has come to seek industrialization in the regions. I don’t conform to a discourse, don’t forget that I wasn’t elected; I was hired,” Bahamon emphasized to reinforce his professional, non-political stance.

State of the Coffee Sector

The National Federation of Coffee Growers, as a regulatory and promotional body for the coffee industry, plays a crucial role in the coffee export process. Its sustainability and development programs lay the groundwork for responsible production and fair relationships with producers, keeping alive the coffee tradition that has endured for generations.

In international markets, Colombian coffee enjoys an enviable reputation. Its “Coffee of Origin” label highlights its quality and geographical origin, attracting consumers seeking unique sensory experiences and supporting ethical business practices. The United States, Europe, and Asia are key destinations for the coffee bean that embodies Colombia’s hardworking spirit.

In the WRadio interview, the coffee growers’ manager also discussed the El Niño phenomenon which is intensively affecting the Colombian weather this year. According to Bahamon, El Niño will initially favor coffee crops “because more light can help the plant carry out photosynthesis better.”

German Bahamon also referred to another point of debate in the country’s political life: pension reform. For the coffee growers’ manager, the reform “should cover farmers. We cannot replace the State,” Bahamon said, referring to pension payments and legislative work. However, he was also critical of the overall situation of rural workers, “potato farmers, banana growers, plantain farmers, rice growers, coffee growers have the same condition and don’t have a pension system to support them,” he pointed out, emphasizing the current lack of pension protection for the majority of farmers.