CCT - Cooperativa Cafe Timor
Purpose
CCT was established to market, process, transport and export Timorese farmers' annual coffee crop, with the additional goals of paying the highest prices for co-operative members' coffee, as well as providing health programmes and farm advisory service.
Producers
CCT is comprised of just over 20,000 members organised into 16 primary co-operatives which sell their coffee through the Organisation which now exports more than half of all the coffee produced in Timor Leste.
Benefits
There are many benefits for producers. A business skill development programme that provides members with training in bookkeeping, management, English language, and computer skills has been instigated. A wholesale purchasing arm of the co-operative benefits the local community by providing consumer goods at reasonable prices to small retail outlets in rural areas. To date, this project has assisted 3,000 members and their families. In addition, CCT has made several significant infrastructure improvements, including the purchase of de-pulping machines, fermentation vats, several trucks, power generators, and the construction of a waste-water treatment facility at the co-op's wet processing facility.
CCT primarily uses fair trade premiums to fund its health care programmes. CCT has set up 10 full-service clinics as well as 25 mobile clinics that make regular calls to remote locations. Free primary health care is provided to all CCT members and their immediate families. The health services focus on prenatal care, as East Timor has a very high infant/maternal mortality rate.
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