Small-scale producers from San Martin, Ucayali and Huanuco regions take part in a public-private initiative to boost productivity and enhance the quality of cacao, as well as other agroforestry products in a sustainable manner.
The program is driven by the agreement "My parcel, My Business: Increasing Access to Credit and Financing for Cacao Producers' Investments."
The document was signed by Peru's State-run agricultural bank (Agrobanco) and Alliance Cacao Peru, a public-private initiative supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Over the next five years, the venture expects to benefit 20,000 cacao-growing families, who will have direct access to national and international markets.
In addition to loans for family enterprises, Agrobanco will provide training for cacao growers through the Financial Literacy program, thus facilitating financial management for small- and medium-scale producers.
On the other hand, Alliance Cacao Peru works on increasing cacao productivity and quality in San Martin, Ucayali and Huanuco regions, which in turn leads to higher income for cacao-growing households.
It must be noted cacao serves as an alternative to illegal coca plants, the main raw material for cocaine production.
Identifying activities
As part of the agreement, Agrobanco and Alliance Cacao Peru will coordinate joint measures to identify public and private multisectoral activities and interventions.
Articulated efforts will also serve for fund management in the form of credits, trusts, donations or other financial instruments to execute activities that contribute to the goals of the agreement.