Strengthening small producers in Esmeraldas and Pichincha provinces

(Quinindé, April 6, 2011).- CAF - Latin American development bank - and the Juan Manuel Durini Forest Foundation (FFJMD) handed over educational materials (videos, guides, and radio programs) to more than 100 small farmers in the Buenos Aires sector of Quinindé canton.

The material was part of the project "Coordination of the cocoa and timber value chains in Esmeraldas province” funded by a non-reimbursable technical cooperation grant approved by CAF for FFJMD last year.

The instruments will strengthen the cocoa and forest resource value chains in the provinces, allowing producers to participate as efficient suppliers to major commercial chains such as Nestlé and Botrosa Endesa.

CAF director representative in Ecuador Hermann Krützfeldt said "the project is part of the CAF Competitiveness Support Program (PAC) which develops productive chains, promotes entrepreneurship and improves the businesses climate, among others goals."

The Program has been focusing on strengthening the capacities of local governments to develop productive initiatives which are sustainable and replicable over time.

"With delivery of the teaching materials, we are fulfilling a very important part of the Project, which is to improve the productive capacities and quality of life of a group of farmers in the region through technical applications which gradually improve their efficiency," Krützfeldt said.

When the project is completed, cocoa and timber are expected to be sustainable sectors for Esmeraldas province, socializing the correct management of production and providing the local government with a fully implemented training system for forestry and agroforestry.