Growing cocoa, growing the future: the integral impact of PDET Routes on cocoa-growing communities

In the territories of Tumaco and Putumayo, where cocoa farming is a key productive activity with high potential in the region, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, together with Red Adelco and ICCO Conexión, implemented the PDET Routes Program. This initiative, financed by the European Union’s European Fund for Peace and in coordination with the National Government, benefited 220 farms in the municipalities of Orito, Mocoa, Villagarzón and Puerto Guzman (Putumayo), and 125 farms in the municipality of Tumaco (Nariño), promoting sustainable agricultural practices and generating technical capacities in the communities.

For four years, the Alliance led the implementation of the technological innovation component of the PDET Routes project. In the case of Putumayo and Nariño, this effort focused on strengthening the cocoa production chain through the implementation of agroforestry systems, improved post-harvest processes, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, and actions for environmental sustainability. As part of this process, regional nurseries were implemented for the production of cocoa and forestry seedlings, prototypes were developed for the evaluation of cocoa quality, spaces for dialogue and collaboration with key stakeholders in the sector were promoted, training, technical and gender workshops were held, and knowledge management tools were created to increase productivity and improve the quality of the cocoa bean.