Value Added to Fine Ecuadorian Cocoa

CAF—development bank of Latin America—and the Provincial Government of Zamora Chinchipe have set out to boost productivity and add value the fine aromatic cocoa produced in this province. To this end, they have agreed to implement strategies to improve crop management, marketing and creating added value to the raw material, and transferring knowledge to 270 farmer families from 9 cantons in the province (Zamora, Yantzaza, Centinela del Cóndor, El Pangui, Paquisha, Nangaritza, Yacuambi, Palanda, and Chinchipe).

According to Bernardo Requena, CAF representative in Ecuador, the project has been designed focusing on CAF’s strategic guidelines of boosting productivity and competitiveness, as a fundamental part of its commitment to foster growth in the region. He also made reference to the importance of sustainability of the project through continuous technical support to stakeholders, the trade partnership established to keep the value chain, and the participation of scholars from Universidad Particular de Loja, who will be providing assistance in this process.

In addition, Salvador Quishpe, governor of the province, underscored the positive impact of growing fine aromatic cocoa on the community. He also mentioned that their goal is to continue to improve quality for international markets, which are increasingly demanding.

The project will be developed over two years and includes research, technical assistance and productive integration of the value chain with at least two anchor companies. It also involves implementing a strategy to create added value to the cocoa beans to increase income generating capacity for farmer families and improve internal and external mechanisms for marketing the raw material and processed products.

The study phase is considered as the foundation of proper sustainability, as it includes accurate scientific analysis of all the elements to be considered for a correct implementation of the interventions in the value chain. The work will comprise from DNA of cacao varieties to ready-to-market chocolate bars.

With these projects, CAF is providing job opportunities in rural areas, thus contributing to reduce the migration of young people from the countryside to the city. Therefore, this operation sets out to improve the income and quality of life of the rural population of the Zamora Chinchipe province through research, production, processing and marketing of fine aromatic cacao and chocolate.