First Fair of Cacao and Chocolate in Magdalena, Bolivia
The “First Cacao and Chocolate Fair in Magdalena” was held, in the capital of the Iténez province of the Department of Beni in Bolivia. Producer associations from different communities of this region participated, mainly from the banks of the Blanco river. At the meeting, on July 21 and 22, participants explained the benefits of cacao, and showed visitors different products made from cacao like cacao butter.
“In the four years I’ve dedicated to the production of cacao, it is the first time that I participate in a fair and I think it is a very good opportunity to sell our products. The support of the institutions is very important, because it allows us to show people what we do. Cacao production is laborious, difficult and sometimes even dangerous. However, with all the technical training that institutions and projects give us, we improve and offer a good product“, says Helen Hurtado, a producer at RÃo Blanco.
The project “Amazon Cacao of Fine Scent”, implemented by ICCO Cooperation and financed by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), seeks to strengthen the cacao producing sector and promotes the restitution of the resources and economic opportunities. Also, it seeks to improve production, transformation and commercialization of cacao. The goal is to realize sustained economic growth and inclusiveness and to improve productive employment for more than 1,700 indigenous and peasant families from the departments of Beni and Pando in Bolivia.