SWISSAID Brings Hope To Colombian Cardamom Farmers.

It took several years of hard work but finally it had paid off and Colombian Farmers are elated.

The SWISSAID federation has given the green light to the cooperative of Colombian farmers from Caramanta to begin growing cardamom in what it will be at first 40 hectares of land in the south east region of Antioquia.

SWISSAID officials visited the land around september of 2011, investigated thoroughly about the project and the viability to make of it a program that would help the community most importantly.


For those who don't know about SWISSAID, One of Switzerland’s leading aid organizations; founded in 1948. They are involved in cooperative development projects in nine countries, try to influence policy-making on development in Switzerland, and inform people about the causes of poverty and underdevelopment. They have 122 staff worldwide, 31 of whom work in Switzerland.


Here an excerpt taken from their website explaining their vision:

Farmers Cooperative In Caramanta

"At  SWISSAID, we believe that everyone is equally entitled to prosperity and to contribute to and participate in the beauty of our world. Participation means codetermination, cooperative creation and shared responsibility in regards to other people, society and the environment. Sustainable development that respects human dignity is possible only if women and men are on equal terms. Cultural diversity and respect for other beliefs and ways of doing things are an important ingredient for quality of life. Inequality, poverty and suffering are not determined by fate. We believe that it is possible for us, as human beings, to use our abilities to bring the vision of a more peaceful and just world into being. The only things missing are insight and the willingness to make the necessary changes"

Cardamom Plantation

"The most remarkable aspect about this project is the social impact that is generating" says one of the project precursors. Mr. Alonso Munera, who's been in the Cardamom business for many years and foresees a remarkable future for Colombian Cardamom over the next decade.

Cardamom in Caramanta grows next to coffee plants and under the shadow of trees, with no use of chemicals whatsoever, although is not organic certified yet, it complies with all of the guidelines to be a 100% organic product. that is why Colombian Cardamom is rated amongst the highest quality on the market. it is up to us to make of it the best in the world.

The project means big business, cardamom being one of the priciest spices on the market only behind vanilla and saffron.

The market for Cardamom is expanding, not only in Asia, Africa and Europe but all over the world, Cardamom is becoming more of a household item and less of an ethnic spice these days. Here in New York you can find it in North American Pastries, in Cocktails, in Fusion style couisine, it's the trendiest spice of 2012 according to Mc Cormic, one of the leading spices purveyors in the country.

Its culinary uses are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to talking about the benefits of cardamom, we have written ominously here and here about all the different uses for cardamom, from a medicinal standpoint to a beauty product. the various uses of cardamom are remarkable, no wonder in India is known as the Queen of Spices.

What people most recognize about Colombian Cardamom is its freshness, its taste and aroma and that's where we have to focus our efforts.

it is important for us to understand the quality of our product and how can we strive to make it even better, not only the spice itself, but the whole operation around it. making it as enviromentally sustainable as possible.

If you wish to learn more about our Colombian Cardamom Project in Caramanta, the people behind it and how you ca get involved write us at  sales@merit-trade.com or you can  visit our website www.merit-trade.com.