Growing Fairer Futures: Improving cocoa production for smallholder cocoa farmers in Peru

Project Details

The region of Junín, found in central Peru, provides farmers optimal opportunities for agricultural practices such as cocoa production. However, factors such as diseases and pests, limited organic inputs, and limited training often hinder economic growth and discourage future generations from continuing to work in the sector. This project addresses these issues by combining agricultural training with the provision of high-quality inputs such as pesticides and organic fertiliser.

The project partners with Cooperativa Agrária de Jóvenes Pangoa, which unites women and youth from native Andean communities to create meaningful opportunities in sustainable cocoa and coffee production. 

Project Impacts 

Through this collaboration, the project will directly benefit 100 smallholder cocoa farmers, entirely constituting women and young people. In addition, an increase of income stability will aid beneficiaries in meeting household needs, positively impacting the livelihoods of 400 family members.

The project will advocate for both women’s and young people’s active and sustained involvement in cocoa production. Prioritising this will reduce the risk of youth migration ceasing cocoa production altogether, and reduce the barriers that undervalue women’s work, such as land ownership, accessing financial services and decision-making powers.

This project aims to:

• Support 100 cocoa farmers (84% women and youth) through the provision of agri training, cocoa farm regeneration and production of organic compost.
• Ensure young people and women have access to specialised training and inputs to increase their cocoa yield.
• Increase farmers’ gross income and improve their financial resilience.
• Facilitate farmers’ access to organic fertiliser and biopesticides at a reduced cost.
• Engage farmers regularly with the cooperative by receiving regular technical assistance and providing knowledge surrounding the market.
• Establish a production centre that produces 50 tons of organic compost and 3,000 litres of liquid biopesticide annually.