Event organized by the National Federation of Cocoa Growers and co-organized within the framework of the agenda of the C4D Community of Practice. Two days full of opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and discussions around the cocoa value chain.

Topics such as productivity, competitiveness from integrated farm management, sustainability, rural extension and their impact were key in the sessions that took place.

📣 💡 A 5-day space for the exchange of knowledge and the articulation of the cocoa sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially from the perspective of young people. We have the participation of a delegation of young cocoa farmers from the Kimbiri region of Peru and the Colombian representation of young cocoa farmers from Huila.

From talks with key players, visits to cocoa farms, producer associations, processing and marketing companies, nurseries, educational institutions and events promoting the sector such as the #FICCA and #CacaoDeOro fair, it was an agenda full of enriching and inspiring moments for the new generation of Cacao.

📣 As part of the Innovation and Job Creation through Youth Empowerment activity of the Cacao for Development project, an International Exchange was organized in which 10 young Colombian cacao producers traveled to the Dominican Republic to learn about the associative model that has made this country one of the major players in the global cacao sector, being the world's largest producer and exporter of organic cacao. With the help of allies such as the CONACADO Group, the Dominican Institute for Agricultural and Forestry Research (IDIAFRD) and CATIE Oficial, it was possible to understand their model of economy of scale: grassroots associations - blocks - business group, as well as the challenges they face as a country free of devastating diseases (Monilia and witches' broom) and with production under strict international certification models in order to remain competitive.

🌱 Between November 5th and 8th, the event “Living Income in Latin America: towards a prosperous future” was held, organized by The Living Income Community of Practice and Sustainable Food Lab.

The event had two parts. First, a learning day in Huila with attendees from Colombia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ecuador to visit and learn more about the producers, their ideas and the challenges they face in the cacao production system in Colombia. Finally, a participatory workshop with key players in the sector at the national and international level to understand the challenges and align joint actions based on the lessons learned. Cacao for Development presented the strategy to improve the income of cocoa-growing families through support, income diversification and the commercialization of complementary crops.