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Project
Description:
Link to
latest
developments |
The
ACCESO program (Andean Countries Cocoa Export Support
Opportunity) is a partnership between private industry, Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and international development
organizations which is aimed at promoting cacao production
within the framework of National Development Policies. The
Agriculture Ministers signed a Declaration of Intent in June
2005 that will institutionalize ACCESO and will generate the
necessary conditions to support sustainable cacao production
achieving results of mutual interest to all parties involved.
 The
principal objective of ACCESO is to encourage and promote
sustainable rural development in cacao-producing areas by
fostering the necessary conditions and supporting all components
of the production chain. This includes the promotion of
activities such as introduction of new high yield disease
resistant varieties, improved production technologies,
integrated pest management, infrastructure, marketing support
and strengthening farmers’ associations and cooperatives. The
goals of the program are to increase farmer yield, generate
higher income for farm families that produce quality cacao and
other tree crops.
This program will provide the countries access
to information, resources, and will leverage best practices and
disseminate them among the partners through horizontal
cooperation. It will focus both at the national and regional
level, according to the specific characteristics of the
countries and the market. Further, it will provide a package of
demand-driven services to improve current and future national
cacao initiatives. ACCESO will be implemented through a
Coordinating Secretariat located in Peru.
 The
technology transfer component of the program, targeting
productivity and quality improvements, will be undertaken
directly by CICAD via the establishment of Farmer Field Schools
(FFS). These field schools are oriented to providing basic
agro-ecological knowledge and skills, but in a participatory
manner so that farmer experience is integrated into the program.
The goal is to train farmers in areas such as management of
integral production systems and the proper utilization of
fertilization, density, shade canopy, grafting and drying
techniques in order to improve the productivity of cocoa’s
plantations. This increase in productivity will translate into
higher income and will help to curb the cultivation of illicit
crops. |
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Objectives: |
 The
principal objective of ACCESO for CICAD is to dissuade the
farmers of the region from engaging in illicit coca growing by
encouraging and promoting sustainable rural development in
cacao-producing areas by fostering the necessary conditions and
supporting all components of the production chain with a view to
creating legitimate income-generating activities. This includes
introduction of new high yield disease resistant varieties,
improved production technologies, integrated pest management,
infrastructure, marketing support and strengthening farmers’
associations and cooperatives. This will be achieved through
technical assistance and Farmer Field Schools (FFS). The goals
of the program are to increase farmer yield, generate higher
income for farm families and produce quality cacao that meets
the standards and requirements identified by private industry. |
