Colombia: Cacao Bioandino

The project

The project aimed to promote the competitiveness and sustainability of fine organic, aromatic and sustainable cacao chain in favorable national contexts. This was done through the implementation of appropriate policies and strategies as well as through the strengthening of producer organisations' capabilities. One of the project's goals was to create synergies between actors in the cacao chain to implement actions, to promote organic, sustainable and fair-trade cacao production initiatives, valuing artisanal production and local varieties. It further promoted the exchange of experiences between the three countries to address the common challenges they face, sharing experiences and technical references and prepare agendas to implement solutions. The project was carried out with 16 producer organisations, distributed in 7 departments of the country.

There were three levels of beneficiaries:

• Public and private actors involved in producing an agenda for the development of the special, organic and sustainable cacao sector.
• Strengthening the National Cocoa Association of Colombia-RED CACAOTERA in its service strategy for the national platform to promote and market sustainable cacao.
• Strengthening the capacities of Producer Organisations to develop services that facilitate sustainable production.
• Improve the productivity, quality and performance of producers

Project partners

• RED CACAOTERA/Allies
• Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism
• Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development