The project aims at triggering systemic changes and generate environmental, economic, and social impact in producer families and throughout the value chain by fostering innovations and services to adopt long-term commercial relationships between producers and consumers and to fulfill international sustainability and quality requirements. It leverages new sustainable business models for the supply of Colombian specialty cocoa to the Swiss market, based on inclusive supply chains of the partner companies.
Intervention area: Antioquia, Huila, Tolima, Nariño, Valle del Cauca, and Cauca
Producers: 1050 farmers (direct beneficiaries) and at least 519 associated farmers
Cocoa beans produced according to sustainable principles: At least 800 tons
Local dynamics: At least 568 producers apply good agricultural practices for sustainable cocoa production
Access to Finance: At least 304 small producers gain access to appropriate inclusive financial products to increase productivity and guarantee compliance with international sustainability standards (UTZ, organic label)
Robust Knowledge Management System: Achieve a systemic change in the speciality cocoa supply chain through cross-learning and exchanges of experiences.
The main objective is to consolidate and leverage viable and innovative business models that provide exportable supply according to the requirements of the Swiss chocolate industry within a framework of better conditions for small producers and their families (inclusiveness), by guaranteeing transparency along the value chain (traceability) and by avoiding deforestation
The project will combine the following innovations:
Business Model Innovations: The project proposes a new way of doing business in the Colombian cocoa sector, with a model that generates incentives to develop a new line of specialty and sustainable cocoa exports from small farmers who have access to information services, technical assistance and financing to consolidate their offer according to international market requirements.
Productive Innovations: The project promotes cocoa cultivation in diversified and resilient agroforestry systems, by increasing density of productive plants per hectare and eliminating or reducing the use of agrochemical inputs.
Innovations in information communication technology for training, information gathering and financial solutions: Virtual solutions and Apps will allow to increase the speed of sharing content and knowledge, as well as the immediate connection between technicians, buyers, and producers.
Social Innovations: Women Economic Empowerment will contribute to building more resilient communities and more sustainable and inclusive value chains.
Expected results
Sustainable supply of Colombian specialty cocoa consolidated, with long-term trade relations between producers, processors, and consumers, generating environmental, economic, and social impact.
The expected results of the project are: