Cacao Production as an Economic Alternative to illegal Gold Mining

Transcription

1 Cacao Production as an Economic Alternative to illegal Gold Mining Madre de Dios Peru Investing in a social and economic project supported by Terre des Hommes Suisse Best quality of cacao - Single Origine Long-term partnership

2 Context Informal and illegal mining dominates the jungle region in Madre de Dios (Peru). Due to the lack of economic alternatives and the high price of gold, migrants from neighbouring Andean regions, but also local people work in the mining activity extracting the gold from the subsoil. These people work in precarious conditions and are in daily contact with toxic mercury. As a direct and visible consequence of this activity, deforestation and environmental pollution emerge. Sexual and labour exploitation of young people, often minors, are a sad reality that exists in the context of informal and illegal mining. Children suffer from the negative impacts of mining. In order to improve the living conditions of people affected, economic alternatives must be created. In cooperation with Agrobosque, Terre des Hommes Suisse works to diversify the incomes of 58 peasant families through cacao and fruit production, fish farming and responsible forestry. his project also seeks to guarantee a balanced diet through vegetable gardens and raising small livestock. Families receive training in agricultural technologies and in small business management. In conclusion, raising people s awareness of children s rights is an important part of Agrobosque s social work. Key facts about Agrobosque Location / Country Santa Rita Baja (Inambari) Carretera Interoceánica KM 129 Madre de Dios, Peru Organisation Cooperativa Agrobosque Products a) Dry cacao bean 60% trinitario cacao Combination (ISC-1, ISC-96, and VRAE) 35% hybrid cacao (CCN 51) 5% native and criollo cacao (CPM 15). b) Cacao derivatives such as roasted cacao beans, nibs, liquor and toppings. c) Dry beans of Copoazú (T. grandiflorum) 100% Copoazú beans Members The cooperative currently has 58 direct members, of which 15 women and 36 men, in addition, 7 leading producers are supported. Size Currently, each member family has installed approximately 3.8 hectares of cacao (=220 ha in total). The objective is to reach 250 hectares. Manager / Contact José Luis Lara Rivas cooperativagrobosque@gmail.com Mobile: Production 10 tons in 2018 As they are recent facilities, it is estimated to reach tons in the first years and then 60 tons per year with a tendency to increase. Certifications wanted In 2018, Fairtrade certification in process of implementation. Organic certification in transition. Creation Since 2005 in an associative organisational system and from 2013 under the cooperative organisational system. Social and environmental projects Alternative to illegal and informal gold mining in the region. Awareness campaign in local schools and a toy library. Diversification, balanced diet, against mono culture and for an additional income.

3 Cacao from Agrobosque Agrobosque is a cooperative, originally founded in 2005 in the area of Santa Rita (Madre de Dios) by 19 peasant families. This community decided to move away from gold mining to cultivate cacao and other agricultural products. Today, the cooperative already has 58 families. Agrobosque works on two central axes. On the one hand, it takes appropriate measures to improve the income of peasant families as well as to diversify food. This is done through the training of its members in agricultural technology. On the other hand, the social section of the cooperative supports communities in social issues such as children s rights, prevention of violence, but also prevention of social and environmental risks caused by mining. In addition, it supports initiatives to disseminate agricultural alternatives by raising awareness among students in local schools.

4 Description of the project supported by Terre des Hommes Suisse Objectives To create alternatives to the extraction of gold through the production of cacao, in order to generate additional income as well as to promote and consolidate diversified diet by establishing school and family gardens, fruit production, fish farming and raising small livestock. The generic objective is to improve the living conditions of families, particularly children. Beneficiaries 550 children and 58 farmer families in the region of Madre de Dios. Core activities To develop a sustainable production of sustainable cacao More than 50 hectares of Chuncho cacao have already been planted. This native cacao is more resistant to parasites in the area and it adapts better to climatic risks. This crop is associated with annual crops of bananas, cocona, papaya and yucca that provide shade for cacao trees and generate the resources for cacao maintenance for the first years. To develop activities in favour of food security for families The important role of the cooperative is to encourage agricultural diversification to strengthen families sources of income. To establish school gardens and raise children s awareness of their rights and risks related to mining Terre des Hommes Suisse in cooperation with Agrobosque supports 450 children in 8 schools of the area through, among other things, the construction of school gardens. Even though the land of Madre de Dios is very fertile, it has not yet been used to its full potential. Terre des Hommes Suisse and Agrobosque involve children in sustainable agricultural production and raise awareness among them. Families and children are sensitised of the risks as well as the social and environmental impact of mining.

5 Demand for cooperation Agrobosque is a strong and pragmatic response to the negative impacts of informal and illegal mining in Madre de Dios. Both the permanent improvement of cacao, which is already of higher quality, and the potential for increasing productivity are fundamental for the sustainable and longterm development of the cooperative. Until 2020 and with the support of specialists, Agrobosque will be implementing the standards of organic certification and fair trade. Agrobosque and Terre des Hommes are convinced that in cooperation with an international cacao customer, the success of the cooperative s social and economic visions can be strengthened. To purchase Agrobosque cacao means participating in a visionary project of the Swiss NGO Terre des Hommes, with a high reputation at an international level, and committing to social and environmental responsibility. The aim is to accompany small producers in their transformation to responsible entrepreneurs with an international importance. Contact For more information, do not hesitate to contact: Nils Krauer Program officer for Agrobosque n.krauer@terredeshommessuisse.ch Laurence Froidevaux Program officer for Bolivia and Peru l.froidevaux@terredeshommessuisse.ch Terre des Hommes Suisse Chemin Frank-Thomas Cologny / Genève Tél / Fax: CCP Geneva, February 2018.