SOCODEVI - Canadian Cooperation Society for International Development

Purpose

This project aims to create sustainable livelihood alternatives to illicit coca production by increasing the incomes of women and men smallholder farmers of cacao. It seeks to help 5,000 families expand new areas of climate resilient cacao crops as a substitute for illicit coca and become “agropreneurs” or entrepreneurs who use agriculture to build a business.Project activities include: (1) providing technical assistance to participating families to improve productivity and increase the quality of cacao crops; (2) providing training to cacao smallholders and cacao cooperatives to increase women empowerment and access to resources; and (3) establishing measures and policies improving the management and performances of cacao cooperatives. The project actively promotes women's empowerment and their participation in the cacao production by helping them access land titles, addressing gender violence and building their leadership skills. The project actively promotes women's empowerment and their participation in the cacao production by helping them access land titles, addressing gender violence and building their leadership skills. The project is leveraging co-financing from private sector companies to increase the total value of the project value of $36.6M.