Q&A with Elsa Matilde Escobar
The self-proclaimed cocoa capital of Colombia, San Vicente Chucurí, is located in the Department of Santander, an agriculturally rich region of northern Colombia. Rainforest Alliance partner Fundación Natura has been working to improve farm practices in the region since 2003, first focusing on coffee production. Today, coffee farms covering more than 74,000 acres (30,000) hectares have been awarded the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal. Recently, Fundación Natura has begun to concentrate on cocoa, starting with the 23 farms belonging to APROCAFRUM, an association of nearly 400 cocoa farmers committed to improving their production practices and elevating the quality of their cocoa. Fundación Natura is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Network, an international coalition of leading conservation groups that sets the standards behind the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal of approval.
What are the main challenges that cocoa farmers face in Colombia?
Colombia used to be a leading cocoa producer until around 30 years ago, when production diminished dramatically for a number of reasons. Fortunately over the last eight years, cocoa has made a comeback and is once again considered an important product of the region and an interesting alternative for many farmers. Today, Colombia imports near forty percent of its cocoa, so I think the main challenge for farmers is to bring production back to former levels while maintaining high quality standards. At the same time, farmers need to find niche export markets, so they can command higher prices.
What does the Rainforest Alliance certification program mean to cocoa producers?
It is a great incentive and a model for farmers in the region and throughout the country because of all the benefits that certification brings to the farms and families. It also presents an opportunity to produce cocoa more sustainably and to find new markets for Colombian-grown cocoa.
What kinds of changes must farmers make in order to meet the certification criteria?
On any farm, the changes start with improving the management systems -- waste management and water management, for example. The group were working with is designing an internal control system, to improve financial management systems, environmental management plans, inventory controls and storage for certified products.
What was the main motivation for the farmers in San Vicente de Chucurí to earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal?
At first, farmers were primarily interested in getting higher prices. But as time has gone by, there has been a change in thinking and attitude, and now they can see the benefits even within their own families. By learning to manage their farms more efficiently, families learn to improve the organization of their homes. Each family member contributes to the planning of activities, to discussions and to running the household.
What do these first certified farms mean for the entire 400-member association?
These 23 farms have served as pioneers, showing the group how to go about becoming certified, and of course, theyve also demonstrated the concrete benefits that they gain once theyve been certified -- better organization, increased savings, better planning, better marketing opportunities, and of course, better techniques for producing cocoa. And its made the farmers feel they are doing things the right way and are being recognized for their accomplishments. Even their self-esteem has grown -- it has been very touching to see them so proud of themselves, so motivated to work and to grow.