By last August the Association of Cocoa and Coffee Growing Producers of Amazonas (Aprocam) had exported 100 tons of organic creole cocoa worth US$1.227 million to Italy-based ICAM S.P.A. enterprise.
The deals have benefited 160 cocoa-producing families residing in the Amazonas region.
Government-run Sierra Exportadora program -which lends support to the said association- indicated that cocoa, also known as "Gods’ food," was harvested in 10 indigenous communities located in Bagua province’s Imaza district.
These are Asociacion de Productores Agropiscicolas Apacun Majai, which gathers producers from the Umukai-Nazareth indigenous community; Asociacion de Productores Agropecuarios Jenpe (APAJ) and indigenous growers from Puerto Pakuy, Alto Pakuy, Pakun, Umukai, Nazareth, Epimimu, Wachapea, Yangunga and Shushung communities.
Aprocam is a business organization, which stockpiles fresh cocoa previously harvested by local associations and communities to be later fermented and dried.
"We currently seek to increase production. We want to exceed 1,000 kilograms per hectare, since productivity currently ranges between 700 kg and 800 kg per hectare," Amazonas region-based Sierra Exportadora Chief Rondinel Barcena affirmed.
Dried grains are sold to the aforementioned Italian enterprise. Producers opted for creole cocoa, given its extraordinary flavor and high quality (scent, oils and butter). A higher price was set due to its organic nature.
(END) NDP/MAO/AVV/MVB
Published: 9/16/2015