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Community Service -
TechnoServe-Peru Supports Entrepreneurs
in Cajamarca to Promote Economic Development

Over half of rural Peruvians live on less than $1 a day. One development organization striving to create sustainable solutions for the rural poor is TechnoServe Inc., (www.technoserve.org), an international non-profit dedicated to helping entrepreneurial men and women in poor rural areas of the developing world to build businesses that create income, opportunity and economic growth for their families, their communities and their countries.

After identifying strong local businesses with a substantial and beneficial impact on the rural community, TechnoServe's strategy is to provide business expertise through management consulting, marketing services and financial advisory in order to position these companies more competitively. The success of these companies, in turn, spurs the creation of new jobs for rural workers with limited other means to generate family income.

Currently, TechnoServe-Peru is working on a project funded by the IFC to support microbusinesses in the northern department of Cajamarca. These businesses produce jams of native fruits, produce cheese from local milk, and process sugar from local sugar cane, among other activities. Through these activities, these businesses create a market for local fruit gatherers, milk ranchers and plant workers in Cajamarca. TechnoServe-Peru thus impacts the larger Cajamarca community beyond the directly assisted businesses.

One of these assisted businesses is Ecoserranita, whose owner Lucelina del Rosario Terrones Silva buys native fruits such as saúco, aguaymanto and zarzamora from local harvesters to make natural jams, nectars and chocolate bonbons. Rosario is a forestry engineer committed to developing uses for native fruits to preserve the local environment. In addition to converting fruits into food products, she also sells the seeds to farmers for reforestation projects.

TechnoServe-Peru's work with Ecoserranita began in July 2003, providing technical assistance with a team of consultants who worked closely with Rosario to design and construct a new plant that increased her scale of production while guaranteeing product quality. At the same time, TechnoServe-Peru also offered managerial business advice to formalize Rosario's business operations, register her products with the Peruvian food safety government organization, and diversify her clients outside of the limited Cajamarca market.

Rosario's new plant is now complete, her business is licensed, her products are registered, and she is operating at full capacity to complete her orders which extend throughout Lima, and include the Tottus grocery chain. Selling to supermarkets like Tottus are a major milestone for small businesses like Ecoserranita because they not only order large quantities but also represent credibility in the established Lima marketplace. Other new clients include the Dove Vai café in Miraflores and the Jireh bakery in Surco, who use the jams to make ice cream and desserts, thus diversifying Rosario's client base.

In addition to generating economic activity and jobs in Cajamarca with the new plant construction, Rosario also increases her purchases from local suppliers of native fruits. These harvesters not only have a steady demand for their produce (and therefore improved job security for themselves), but also have an incentive to provide higher quality fruit for the higher prices that Rosario can now offer for it.

Ecoserranita is just one example of a business creating jobs and generating economic activity in Cajamarca, a district where half the population survives on less than 1 dollar a day. The growth of local businesses contributes to the economic development of their communities. Through TechnoServe-Peru's support, these agricultural and agro-industrial microenterprises can contribute even more to their communities and their region's economic development. -- Amy Lin

Enjoy natural Peruvian jams while supporting economic development in rural regions of Peru! These native fruits offer rich flavors from the mountainous region of Cajamarca which is renowned for its pristine environment and natural beauty. Whether for yourself or for a gift, call Elba Monzon (561-1949) or Silvia Terrones (9748-5985) for orders in Spanish.

Saúco jam (S/. 6.50 for 350g jar)
Saúco is a black currant grown in Cajamarca. A versatile flavour, this jam can be used as a cheesecake or ice cream topping, or as an elegant standalone on toast.

Aguaymanto jam (S/. 6.50 for 350g jar)
This orange berry has a higher concentration of vitamin C than an orange and makes for a sweet and tart flavor that is well suited for fresh bread or as a topping for sponge cakes and other desserts.

Zarzamora (blackberry) jam (S/. 6.50 for 350g jar)
Made from wild blackberries, this jam offers a smooth, pleasant favorite to smother over ice cream, layer into pastries, or simply enjoy over toast.

Tomate de árbol jam (S/. 6.50 for 350g jar)
A rich flavor resembling plum, use this toffee-colored jam as a great topping for toast or crackers, a base for a glaze over roast turkey or ham, or fold into butter for a distinctive spread.

Tumbo Serrano (Poro poro) jam (S/.6.50 for 350g jar)
This distinctive cherry-like taste is perfect on fresh bread or as a sweet hors d'oeuvre complement to a cheese assortment.

Tripac (S/. 13.50 for 3 jars of 150g in a wicker basket)
Perfect for a gift or for yourself, these tripacs offer a selection of 3 flavors to introduce you to the native jams of Cajamarca.

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