Sustainable cocoa cultivation in the “El Triunfo” Biosphere Reserve (Chiapas, Mexico)
DERMAC is a non-profit organization based in San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico, which has been active for many years in particularly biodiverse regions such as Oaxaca and Chiapas. The organization focuses on participatory environmental projects in which communities, science, government and civil society work together on sustainable solutions. Its focus is on: protecting land and water ecosystems, strengthening rural livelihoods for marginalized populations and the planning and implementation of near-natural development models. With an experienced, interdisciplinary team, DERMAC supports communities in the implementation of ecologically and economically sustainable projects - always with a view to protecting the ecosystem and improving the living conditions of the people on site.
In the Soconusco region, cocoa, along with coffee, is one of the most important crops in economic, social, and environmental terms. However, climate change, soil erosion, disease infestation, and a lack of market access are increasingly threatening the livelihoods of many families who dedicate themselves to cocoa cultivation.
In recent years, many farmers have had to resort to less sustainable sources of income, such as extensive livestock farming, sugar cane or oil palm cultivation, with serious consequences for biodiversity and soil health in the region. At the same time, there is a lack of prospects for the younger generation: many are leaving agriculture because they see no future in cocoa cultivation. The project specifically addresses these challenges and shows ways in which sustainable and ecological cocoa cultivation can be rethought and anchored locally.
In Chiapas, in southern Mexico, the organisation DERMAC (Desarrollo Rural y Medio Ambiente A.C.) is pursuing an ambitious goal: to permanently improve the income situation of 200 smallholder farmers in the “El Triunfo” Biosphere Reserve by strengthening sustainable cocoa cultivation and establishing a regional cooperative. The project combines ecological responsibility with economic independence. Specifically, it involves: training in sustainable cultivation methods, organisational development, including quality management and cooperation structures, processing and marketing of fine cocoa and cocoa by-products such as chocolate, development of infrastructure for post-harvest processing and strengthening the role of women in all phases of the value chain. In the first phase of the project, the occurrence of fungal diseases on cocoa plants was reduced by 60% through improved cultivation methods. The current focus is on technical advice, efficient harvest management, access to higher-value markets and the development of processing facilities and logistics structures. These measures not only increase product quality, but also create economic opportunities, especially for young people and women in remote rural areas.
Luis Villafuerte
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