PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OF COCOA PRODUCTION CHAIN TO IMPROVE LIVELIHOODS AND PRESERVE BIOLOGICAL CORRIDORS IN THE LACHUA ECOREGION Lachua Ecoregion, Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Guatemala, Central America. Nov 25th. Lachua Ecoregion, Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Guatemala, Central America. Nov 25th.

LACHUA ECOREGION

Baseline Findings: low and inadequate management in the pruning of the cocoa trees. excessive shading in the plantations (around 75% shade) genetic material with too much production variability 73 % of producers are active (125) 79 % of the area with some management Monilia is present in 2 % of the plantations. Cocoa beans are sold without being fermented Cocoa productions generates low income (technology, finance system and added-value) Minimal full and part-time jobs created Findings: low and inadequate management in the pruning of the cocoa trees. excessive shading in the plantations (around 75% shade) genetic material with too much production variability 73 % of producers are active (125) 79 % of the area with some management Monilia is present in 2 % of the plantations. Cocoa beans are sold without being fermented Cocoa productions generates low income (technology, finance system and added-value) Minimal full and part-time jobs created

What actions we did? Organization Strengthening the producer’s organizations’ administrative and accounting system Support in developing the annual operative plans Organization Strengthening the producer’s organizations’ administrative and accounting system Support in developing the annual operative plans

What Actions we did? A training program implemented – Pruning – Shade – Superior trees – Grafting – Control of plague and disease – Fertilization 6 field school established in 6 communities 127 producers trained A training program implemented – Pruning – Shade – Superior trees – Grafting – Control of plague and disease – Fertilization 6 field school established in 6 communities 127 producers trained

What Actions we did? 25 farmer, trainers and administrators, trained in TOT methodology and cocoa technology All students participated in the dialogue with experts in cocoa production (BK and George Loquvam) 25 farmer, trainers and administrators, trained in TOT methodology and cocoa technology All students participated in the dialogue with experts in cocoa production (BK and George Loquvam)

What actions we did? Technical assistance for plantations management 50 % of the farmers initiated with the prioritized management activities Monilia are monitored and under control 90 producers interested in establishing new plantations have been identified Technical assistance for plantations management 50 % of the farmers initiated with the prioritized management activities Monilia are monitored and under control 90 producers interested in establishing new plantations have been identified

What actions we did? Genetic material for cloned plants Identification of superior trees – 226 trees identified, tagged, and registered in database. Cloning material – Budwood garden established (100 plants) Genetic material for cloned plants Identification of superior trees – 226 trees identified, tagged, and registered in database. Cloning material – Budwood garden established (100 plants)

What actions we did? Implementation of value-added processing centers – 3 centers are built – equipped with fermentation and drying infrastructure, equipment – kg of wet cocoa bean have been processed – kg of dry cocoa commercialized Implementation of value-added processing centers – 3 centers are built – equipped with fermentation and drying infrastructure, equipment – kg of wet cocoa bean have been processed – kg of dry cocoa commercialized

What actions we did? Relationships for future partnerships and commercialization: Lake Champlain Chocolate (Eric Lampman) Sacha Gold Project (George Loquvam) Steve Bergin (Potential buyer) Local Buyers Relationships for future partnerships and commercialization: Lake Champlain Chocolate (Eric Lampman) Sacha Gold Project (George Loquvam) Steve Bergin (Potential buyer) Local Buyers

Activities for 2013 Production of 20,000 new clonal plants Planting of 20 new Hectares new producers 50 producers trained in field schools 3 new budwood garden established with superior genetics material Standardize post harvest processing Implement the financial mechanism with the cocoa organizations Improve the management of the existing plantations Production of 20,000 new clonal plants Planting of 20 new Hectares new producers 50 producers trained in field schools 3 new budwood garden established with superior genetics material Standardize post harvest processing Implement the financial mechanism with the cocoa organizations Improve the management of the existing plantations