First cooperative in Western Paraná celebrates 60 years of foundation

This Saturday, Cafelândia welcomed cooperative members and collaborators to celebrate Mass in Thanksgiving for the six decades of existence of Copacol (Cooperativa Agroindustrial Consolata). Generating 16 thousand jobs, with eight thousand cooperative producers, it has become one of the largest in the world, according to the World Cooperative Monitor.

According to the CEO, Valter Pitol, there were "tough battles along the way. Already at the beginning, such as the defense of the continuity of the Cooperative, in 1972, when there was the decision not to incorporate into Coopavel; and the drought in 1978, which brought producers even closer together through diversification as a source of income". Pitol, who has been with Copacol for 50 years, was the second agronomist hired by the cooperative.

“It is a great gratitude to have arrived in 1972, to have followed Copacol's every step until reaching this moment. We are gathered today repeating this scene from 60 years ago – when our founders were together to change everyone's reality”, says Pitol.

Celebrated by Father Wilson José Ronfini, from the Nossa Senhora Consolata Parish, with the participation of Father Vagner Aparecido Alves, from Nova Aurora, the mass was marked by emotion. Faith was the main highlight of the celebration. “This is a moment of gratitude. It is important that we celebrate the history of Copacol, which brings so many benefits to our community. Luís Luise was very concerned about people and through cooperativism he found a way to help farmers”, Wilson emphasized during the mass.

Copacol was founded on October 23, 1963 by Father Luís Luise to produce electricity on the Jesuítas River, in Cafelândia. In 1969, this sector was separated to specifically serve agriculture, with emphasis on the cultivation of beans, rice, corn and coffee.