Vraem: Cocoa-Growing Families Exported 15 Tons of Organic Cocoa to the United States

A total of 60 cocoa-growing families from the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro River Valley (Vraem) are consolidating their commitment to a licit life by exporting 15 tons of organic cocoa, valued at S/400,000, to the United States. This achievement is a concrete demonstration that alternative development is indeed possible in territories historically affected by drug trafficking. The sale represents an articulated work between the Association of Ecological Cocoa Producers of Kimbiri (Aprocek) and the Association of Agricultural Producers United for the Development of Santa Rosa (Apaud), with technical assistance from the National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida). The producing families, located in the districts of Kimbiri and Santa Rosa (Cusco), are dedicated to the cultivation, collection, transformation, and marketing of cocoa. With permanent accompaniment from Devida specialists, they have managed to obtain high-quality beans through the use of ...