Fourth Quarter Report FY 16: Cacao for Peace Participating Agency Program Agreement

The project's vision is to improve rural well-being through agricultural development that is inclusive and sustainable, with a positive impact on cacao farmers' incomes, economic opportunity, stability, and peace. The project's objectives are twofold: to strengthen Colombian capacity for cacao research and to strengthen Colombian capacity for cacao extension and other cacao priority areas. To achieve these objectives, the project has established partnerships with various institutions, including the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research (Corpoica), the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the Pennsylvania State University (PSU). During the fourth quarter of FY 2016, the project made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The project's implementing partners conducted various activities, including cacao research workshops, collaborative research, and Fulbright scholarships. The project also facilitated the execution of a cooperative agreement between Corpoica and ARS, which will provide technical assistance to Corpoica. In terms of cacao research, the project has made significant progress in identifying priority research areas and developing a plan for a Colombian Cacao Research Network. The project has also established a cacao research communications platform and developed a sustainability plan for Corpoica's cacao research center. The project's extension activities have also made significant progress, with the implementation of cacao production and extension assessments, demonstration farms, and cacao farmer trainings and extension capacity building. The project has also established partnerships with various institutions, including the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Peace Corps. Overall, the Cacao for Peace project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and has established partnerships with various institutions to strengthen Colombian capacity for cacao research and extension. The project's activities are expected to continue in FY 2017, with a focus on implementing the project's work plan and achieving its objectives. The project's geographic focus is on Colombia, with a specific emphasis on the cacao-producing regions. The project's timeframes are FY 2016 and FY 2017, with a focus on implementing the project's work plan and achieving its objectives during this period. The project's recommendations for future activities include continuing to implement the project's work plan, establishing partnerships with additional institutions, and providing technical assistance to Corpoica. The project also recommends continuing to monitor and evaluate its activities to ensure that they are achieving their objectives and making a positive impact on cacao farmers' incomes, economic opportunity, stability, and peace. The project's implementing partners have made significant progress in achieving their objectives, with a focus on cacao research and extension. The project's activities are expected to continue in FY 2017, with a focus on implementing the project's work plan and achieving its objectives. The project's recommendations for future activities include continuing to implement the project's work plan, establishing partnerships with additional institutions, and providing technical assistance to Corpoica.