The Cacao Effect (TCE) - Seventh Quarterly Report

The activity is supported by USAID and involves a partnership between Luker Chocolate, Fundación Luker, Enel-Emgesa, Fundación Saldarriaga Concha FSC, and Universidad EAFIT. TCE focuses on four subregions: Urabá, Bajo Cauca, Centro-Sur del Huila, and Tumaco, with the goal of building a lasting peace. To achieve this, TCE seeks to improve the productivity of small cacao producers, enabling them to earn higher incomes, find a legitimate path out of poverty, and fulfill their life goals. The activity aims to enhance the technical, commercial, and administrative skills of cacao producer associations, increasing their productivity and competitiveness. TCE also targets the population of the Cacao Cluster in Necoclí and Tumaco, providing training to children, young people, and adults (including women and social leaders) in academic, socio-emotional, and resilience skills. This will help close the cycle of improving socio-economic conditions in the community. During the 5-year period, the total investment will be USD 36,353,591, with USAID contributing USD 6,921,181. TCE's objectives include generating sales of COP $13,455,879,321 among small cacao producers, increasing cacao crop productivity by 82% through rehabilitation, and improving 1,340 hectares of cacao through new planting and rehabilitation. Key activities include: - Rehabilitating cacao crops in Huila - Establishing the "I am Cacaocultor" training methodology online - Conducting the second measurement of skill improvement in associations using the Ico + R scale - Continuing academic and socio-emotional programs in Urabá Results during the period include: - Increased cacao crop productivity - Sales of $251,669,943 during the trimester - 1,667 technical assistance visits to producer partner farms - Planting of 68.8 hectares of cacao - Rehabilitation of 134.5 hectares of cacao in Huila - Establishment of two "Soy Cacaocultor" training modules online TCE has also strengthened associations of cacao producers, improved skills of the Cacao Cluster population, and implemented cross-cutting activities such as communication strategies and monitoring of goals and indicators.