Following the Beca Mayorga initiative launched in partnership with Mayorga Coffee in 2019, the scholarship we offered at PRF Colombia gave 500 smallholder coffee farmers free entry to the event. Over the years, this initiative has enabled thousands of producers to participate in the forum. 

Following this, we’re pleased to announce that Mayorga Coffee will once again sponsor 500 Salvadoran farmers through the Mayorga Scholarship for PRF El Salvador.

Successful applicants will receive a ticket to attend the two-day forum at the Salamanca Exhibition Center in San Salvador on March 16 and 17, 2023. Not only does this provide full access to the workshops, lectures, and cupping sessions on offer, but it will also give them a platform to network with potential buyers and share their expertise with the wider coffee community.

Let’s take a closer look at the program and how you can apply.

What are the aims of the Mayorga Scholarship?

Martin Mayorga is the founder and owner of PRF Diamond Sponsor Mayorga Coffee. He explains that smallholder farmers can find attending important industry events difficult.

He says: “Having grown up and lived in multiple coffee-growing countries, I’ve seen how hard-working, critical members of the supply chain are marginalized. This is not only a financial issue, but to me, it’s a human issue.”

By making the scholarship possible, Mayorga is empowering farmers who would otherwise not be able to attend the event, and ensuring that other attendees hear from “brilliant, hard-working people with so much to teach the industry,” Martin adds.

“We need to put them on a pedestal,” he continues. “As part of our support of PRF, we realized that it’s important to ensure that more remote producers with fewer means are given access to be ‘at the table’ with roasters and other stakeholders that are relevant in the supply chain.

Why should coffee farmers attend PRF El Salvador?

PRF provides a number of opportunities for coffee smallholder farmers to meet other professionals from across the supply chain. As each event has a focus on driving green coffee sales, attending can be a valuable opportunity for them to network with international coffee professionals and learn more about what coffee buyers want.

Alongside this, producers who attend PRF El Salvador will be able to learn more about the coffee industry on an international level through the various lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and cuppings. 

All PRF events are grounded in ensuring smallholder farmers get the chance to share their expertise, which ensures that coffee farmers take an active role in important discussions around the future of the coffee industry. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing roasters that want to learn how to buy direct, as well as seeing producers who are excited to get an audience directly with buyers,” Martin says. “It’s energizing to me. There is so much opportunity for each party to teach one another and solve problems together through relationships.”

How can you apply for the Mayorga Scholarship?

Applications are now open. To apply, please fill out this application form as clearly as possible.

The deadline for applications is February 1, 2023, at which point we will contact those who have been successful.

Keep in mind that the Mayorga Scholarship only covers admission to PRF El Salvador and does not account for travel expenses, food, or accommodation.

In the form, you will find a series of questions about your contribution to the coffee sector. Please ensure you answer them as accurately as you can, as we will use this information to determine eligibility for the program.

“Ideally, we’re looking for more remote producers with less access to financial resources and that are typically removed from the conversation with green coffee buyers,” Martin adds. 

We encourage anyone who is eligible and wants to attend to apply as soon as possible, as spaces are limited. 

To learn more about PRF El Salvador, visit our news page here, sign up for our newsletter here, or reach out to our team at this email address.