Community Micro Processing, Social Construction of Cocoa Quality from Biodiversity and Local Culture in Highly Vulnerable to Extreme Weather Events Regions

This project was developed with the purpose of strengthening the livelihoods of families dedicated to the production of cocoa in the Costa Rica-Panama bi-national basin of the Sixaola River, and with the goal of reducing the vulnerability of these producers and families to extreme hydrometereological events. The co-executing organizations (APPTA and COCABO) represent about 3000 producers, who gained access to the transfer of knowledge and technologies developed in the framework of this joint effort. 

Under the leadership of the National University of Costa Rica, the coordination of key cocoa sector representatives in both territories constituted a first achievement. This network, made up of people focusd on the sensory quality of cocoa, included academics, technicians, producers, industrialists and private sector consultants, among others. Through 3 workshops, 2 solar drying systems were designed and built using photovoltaic panels, which also enable access to electricity and connectivity in isolated communities. A guide to good fermentation and drying practice was developed oriented to cocoa production with high quality standards. 

The initiative evidenced the importance of strengthening fermentation and drying technologies towards the design of qualities directed by a micro fermentation system for microbiological strains with potential for the production of highly specialized cocoa.