An example of this is the initiative that the Rural Development Agency (ADR), in alliance with the Association of Universal Producers El Castillo (Asoprocastillo), presented in Yacopí, in the central department of Cundinamarca, to strengthen the production and marketing of cocoa for 44 families.

The project, valued at 405 million pesos (about 100 thousand dollars at the current exchange rate), includes the delivery of equipment and tools, as well as support in technical and marketing assistance.

In addition to improving the income of the families involved, it is also intended to open new market opportunities for cocoa growers.

The launch of the initiative coincided with the announcement by the ADR of a similar plan being implemented in Putumayo, southern Colombia.

In this region, an investment of 27,871 million pesos (about seven million dollars) is being undertaken to improve the production, processing and marketing of cocoa, involving 626 peasant and indigenous families from 14 producer associations in eight municipalities.

In addition to cocoa production, the project also focuses on its processing to add value and ensure fair prices in the market.

The initiatives are part of a larger effort by the national government, which involves a total investment of 82,886 million pesos, more than 20 million dollars.

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