Coffee Harvesting Tradition in Panama

In the mountains of western Panama, where one of the world's most expensive coffees is born, coffee bean harvesting depends mostly on the hands of the Ngäbe Buglé indigenous people, one of Panama's seven indigenous peoples. Today, with 50 years of experience, he says he loves what he does and that coffee has transformed his life. For Leopoldo, the greatest achievement is not having been part of that agricultural milestone in the history of Panamanian coffee in 2004, but that his children are university graduates, a fact he attributes directly to the constant work in this sector, as he explains to EFE. His work combines tradition and culture in a context marked by a labor shortage. This work is taking place in a context of growing concern for the sector. Each year, about 10,000 people migrate to the Renacimiento district to harvest coffee, and many of them cross the border into Costa Rica, which jeopardizes the harvest that begins in September in the lowest altitude areas. One of the faces of this story is Moisés Montezuma, considered one of the best roasters in Panama and the only Ngäbe Buglé national coffee judge, who participates in selecting the best lots that enter the annual Best of Panama (BOP) international competition, organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP). He told EFE: 'I started harvesting coffee in 1975. Little by little, I became a taster without realizing it.' He assures that he was first a pre-judge and that in 2006 he became a national judge of Panama, as part of the team of specialists in coffee that the country has. They visited several Panamanian coffee farms and then moved to Costa Rica following the harvests. For Lucas Hernández, harvesting coffee began at the age of 18 alongside his mother. For Yamileth Pinto, a 21-year-old Physical Education student, each harvest represents an opportunity to continue her education. 'As soon as classes are over, I migrate immediately for the harvest. When I finished sixth grade, my father gave me that idea and from there I get the sustenance to help me with my studies,' she told EFE. 'I make a budget for each thing. With that harvest, I help with the money I get at the end, it helps me to study. It's not an easy task, but it is rewarding,' she affirms.