Women play a prominent role throughout the publication. The Regional Meeting of Women Cocoa Growers from Huila and Tolima served as a platform to discuss rural permanence, local transformation, leadership, participation in decision-making bodies, climate adaptation, and opportunities for future generations. Their experiences demonstrate that the future of the cocoa and chocolate value chain depends on shared knowledge, community organization, and the growing leadership of women throughout the sector.
Among the technical highlights is the launch of the Information Center of the National Cocoa Traceability Board, a platform that provides access to guidelines, methodologies, maps, protocols, and technical documentation related to sustainability, production, environmental management, and regulatory compliance. The initiative is designed to help the sector prepare for increasingly demanding international markets, including compliance with the European Union Regulation on deforestation-free products.
The publication also encourages producers to prepare for the possible arrival of El Niño during the second half of 2026. Recommended actions include preserving shade trees and ground cover, protecting water sources, improving water storage and distribution systems, maintaining soil conservation practices, and evaluating financial risk management mechanisms. The overarching message is that climate adaptation begins well before drought conditions emerge and must be tailored to the specific characteristics of each farm.
A comprehensive overview of regional activities showcases the breadth of Fedecacao’s technology transfer efforts. Producers from Risaralda, Santander, Cundinamarca, Tolima, Huila, Valle del Cauca, Meta, Arauca, Boyacá, and other regions participated in technical courses, field demonstrations, and training sessions covering integrated crop management, pruning, grafting, fertilization, quality improvement, harvesting, post-harvest practices, and cocoa processing. The Sembrando Futuro program also continues to introduce rural students to cocoa cultivation, its history, and its connection to local communities.
The stories of Willinton Barragán, a producer from Puerto Caicedo in Putumayo, and Yulier Magaly Caicedo Vacca, an extension specialist in Policarpa, Nariño, illustrate the transformative impact of technical assistance and dedicated service. The edition also recognizes the work of Fedecacao’s regional office teams, whose close engagement with farming communities supports research, training, and continuous technical assistance for cocoa-producing families.
Colombia Cacaotera No. 89 further expands its scope with a study on historical memory and social capital in Arauquita, features on digital marketing workshops for cocoa entrepreneurs, the introduction of the Fedecacao Foundation and its social, productive, and environmental initiatives, and FEPCACAO’s strategy to help producers and organizations access international markets. The publication concludes by highlighting the nutritional benefits of cocoa and inviting readers to attend the eighth edition of Chocoshow, which will take place from November 27 to 29 at Corferias in Bogotá.
With this new edition, Fedecacao reaffirms its commitment to informing, connecting, and supporting the people who make Colombian cocoa production possible, showcasing a sector that continues to strengthen its democratic institutions, preserve its knowledge, foster innovation, and move confidently toward the future.
