Jose Andres

José Andrés, 35, resides in the community of San Luis de la Carbonería, located in Cotacachi, Ecuador. Despite its remote location, the community boasts rich biodiversity, making it a promising destination for tourism. From a young age, José has been deeply involved in agriculture, learning from his family and applying their knowledge to manage his farm.

With extensive knowledge in agriculture, José decided to venture into an activity that would be both profitable and environmentally friendly. He established a farm offering ecotourism services, which has been a challenging but rewarding journey. José currently cultivates blackberries, harvested every six months, and maintains two trout ponds for sport fishing. His commitment to organic farming and avoiding monoculture contributes significantly to environmental care. Unlike other local farmers who allocate land solely for production, José leverages the area's biodiversity, climate, and proximity to the renowned Cotacachi mountain to offer a unique tourism experience.

José has enriched the visitor experience on his farm by developing a series of engaging activities. He has created an attractive hiking trail, offers exciting horseback rides, provides camping options for nature lovers, and prepares delicious local food. This diversity of services allows visitors to enjoy and observe nature at its finest while ensuring an unforgettable and enriching experience during their stay.

Currently, José earns a monthly income of $600 (£472) from the various services he provides, including fishing, trout preparation, and camping. Additionally, he sells 10 baskets of blackberries weekly at $5 (£4) each and generates about $200 (£157) every 15 days from trout sales.

To expand his farm, José has requested a loan to be repaid over 36 months. His goal is to acquire adjacent land to grow his ecotourism business further and plant native species to contribute to reforestation. Specifically, he plans to plant willows or alders to cover his one-and-a-half-hectare plot for wind protection. This area will also include sections for fruit trees like blackberries, apples, and peaches, with the remaining part featuring natural grass for camping and horseback riding. Additionally, José aims to hire at least two local workers to support his services and help prevent migration to the city.

While this is José’s first loan through Lendwithcare, he has successfully repaid four loans from our local development partner in Ecuador, Co-operative Santa Anita. His farm's sustainability, diversified production, and range of services make him a reliable investment. By supporting José, you are contributing to a thriving, environmentally friendly business that enhances the local community and offers a unique experience to visitors.