Second 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 Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research (CORPOICA), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and the University of Florida. During the second quarter of FY 2016, the project conducted a scoping mission to gather information for the development of the annual work plan. The mission team, consisting of USDA staff and land grant university experts, interviewed key stakeholders and potential partners. The team agreed on FY 2016 project activities, the lead university for each activity, and drafted an outline of the FY 2016 annual work plan. A major outcome of the mission was the formal commitment by CORPOICA's Director General to work with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on the establishment of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cacao genetic material exchange. CORPOICA also agreed to participate in the cacao research symposium planned for September. The project also facilitated the negotiation of a collaborative research agreement between ARS and CORPOICA for the implementation of high-priority, mutually agreeable research projects. The agreement includes the establishment of a formal cooperative agreement to implement high-priority, mutually agreeable research projects, as well as targeted technical assistance projects. In addition, the project received a financial commitment from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and is drafting an MOU for continued USDA/UNODC collaboration. The project also learned that Swiss Contact has an ongoing multi-million dollar project focused on strengthening the cacao sector, and they have worked with 3,500 cacao-producing families. The project has also established partnerships with other institutions, including the Colombian National University, which will participate in the cacao research symposium planned for September. The project will explore further collaboration on research and extension with the university. The project has also made significant progress in the development of the FY 2016 annual work plan. The plan was approved by USAID on April 11, and it outlines the project's activities and objectives for the year. The plan includes the establishment of a formal cooperative agreement between ARS and CORPOICA, as well as targeted technical assistance projects. Overall, the Cacao for Peace project has made significant progress in its second quarter, establishing partnerships with key institutions and making significant progress in the development of the FY 2016 annual work plan. The project's objectives are to strengthen Colombian capacity for cacao research and extension, and to improve rural well-being through agricultural development that is inclusive and sustainable.