The Cacao Effect

Our challenge

A cooperation agreement between Luker Chocolate, USAID, Fundación Luker, Enel Emgesa, Saldarriaga Concha Foundation, The Sustainable Trade Initiative-IDH and EAFIT University, with which we seek to improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers and their communities in three regions of the country.

We contribute to the economic and social transformation of 16 municipalities in Urabá Antioqueño, Bajo Cauca, and Centro Sur del Huila.

PRODUCTIVITY

Through planting, rehabilitation, training in good agricultural practices, and support with rural extension and anchor crop models, we aim to increase the productivity and income of small cocoa farmers.

ASSOCIATIONS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

We train cocoa grower associations to strengthen their administrative, technical, and commercial practices, optimizing processes and resources to offer better services to their members (mostly producers that are part of the project).

Moreover, thanks to the support in entrepreneurship, cocoa-growing communities and families can develop their business ideas and have additional sources of income.

EDUCATION AND RESILIENCE

Through the programs of the Luker Foundation, children, youth, and adults can have better opportunities in life thanks to the improvement of academic skills.

Furthermore, we strengthen the socio-emotional skills of cocoa-growing communities by promoting mental health through dialogues and workshops so that they can be resilient after many years of armed conflict.

Over 800
cocoa producers

are part of the project.

More than 1,600
hectares

of cocoa crops have
been intervened.

13 associations

have improved their
technical, administrative, and commercial capabilities.

250 business
opportunities

(55% from female entrepreneurs) were supported.

More than 600 people
hectares

have attended
resilience activities and
strengthened their
socio-emotional skills.

More than 2,700 children,

youth, and adults have improved their
academic skills, thanks
to educational programs.