In lands cultivated with Cacao, in the village of Guerima, in the municipality of Cumaribo, Vichada, a visit was carried out by the Directorate of Substitution of Illicit Plantations of Vichada, the association of producers ASOPCARE and Casa Luker, with the aim of knowing the needs of the territory and training producers in the identified critical points for a period of three days. During this time, the Cacao farmers were oriented so that they could identify the needs of their land and plantations.
Thanks to this observation stage, it was possible to identify the productive conditions, the management and the health of the territories, thus leading theoretical and practical exercises related to their needs to be carried out, such as the rehabilitation of plantations, which includes techniques such as pruning, grafting and crown change by Malayan and approximation grafts, which are typical of already established plantations. These activities led the producers to obtain the necessary knowledge to improve their planting techniques.
In addition to the instructions, 30 kits were distributed that included a file, a pruning saw and a high scissor. These tools are essential to carry out an adequate pruning of the trees, a need identified by the producers themselves. In the same way, 50 T-shirts with the slogan I am a Cacao Farmer were distributed with the aim of encouraging and promoting the spirit and culture of Cacao farming among farmers.
It is hoped that, with the implementation of all the recommendations provided by the Luker Chocolate professionals, the efforts of these Cacao farmers will be reflected in better harvests. This will contribute to strengthening the different projects led by the Colombian Air Force for the benefit of local communities, thus promoting sustainable development in the Cacao region.
Source: GAORI Strategic Communications
