In the southern region of Ecuador, nestled within the municipality of Espindola, lies Manuel Efren’s farm, La Cascarilla. Interestingly, the farm derives its name from a local tree renowned for its use in traditional medicine to alleviate colds. Manuel's roots in the countryside run deep, as he gleaned firsthand knowledge of farm management from his father, who imparted wisdom on coffee cultivation and cattle raising. Fuelled by a thirst for knowledge, Manuel delved deeper into the intricacies of coffee, embarking on his own cultivation journey 25 years ago. However, his trajectory shifted 12 years ago when he redirected his focus to specialty coffee, driven by a fervent desire to explore processing techniques and fermentation methods.
Introducing transformative changes, he achieved higher quality yields, subsequently enhancing the livelihoods of his family members who contributed to the farm. Setting him apart is Manuel's profound reverence for the environment, which has spurred him to adopt eco-friendly practices such as preserving native trees and integrating beekeeping initiatives. His current aspirations revolve around standardising procedures to continually enhance quality and acquiring a new and improved mill for depulping.
