Transforming the Cocoa Supply Chain
As a result of heavy challenges in the industry, including low yields and long supply chains, cocoa has been subject to deforestation in the region while farmers have been driven to decimate plantations.

For several years, our organization has focused on valorizing cacao production within our community, by collaborating with farmers and the construction of a post harvest center. These efforts have allowed us to introduce fine Perijá cacao to European and Asian chocolate makers.

We aim to use the tools available to us—specifically, the selection of genotypes with an interesting aromatic profile, propagation techniques, and rigorous post-harvest quality practices—to give cocoa in Venezuela a chance at sustainability. Installing an agroforestry program will offer farmers additional revenue, recover our forests and a sustainable use of land and terroir.

Project Activities:

• Genetic Study of Mapping of potential planting material
• Propagation Activities within the Sierra de Perija plots
• Implementation of Agroforestry systems
• Sustainable Sourcing and Post Harvest Quality Practices

Objectives:

• Preservation of Cacao Criollo Genotype
• Recover the Forest Cover in the Region
• Enable Traceability in Sourcing and Activities in the Region
• Produce Incredible Quality Cocoa
• Encourage International Cooperation