Chemical pesticides are used in agriculture to control pests and diseases, as well as weeds. However, it also harms people's health and damages the environment and biodiversity. In the Peruvian Amazon they are being used more and more, since climate change and the low educational level of many small farmers, makes them increase the use of pesticides in their crops. Central Cacao de Aroma seeks to reduce the use of pesticides through advice and implementation of natural control practices, as well as the promotion of organic and environmentally responsible crops.
In the Peruvian Amazon, the Central Cacao de Aroma, which brings together 410 families of small organic cocoa producers, seeks to reduce the use of agrochemicals and promote organic and environmentally responsible production practices. To do this, it has a team of professional agronomists and technicians who advise and train its partners and other producers to do good organic management and avoid the use of pesticides. In addition, it helps producers by providing them with equipment and materials to reduce the use of pesticides. One of these is the use of trimmers/pruner to combat weeds in crops, as an alternative to the use of pesticides.
The project benefits the 410 families of small organic cocoa producers associated with the Cooperative, through: advisory services, training and implementation of good practices to reduce the use of pesticides and promote organic production. In this sense, it has a team of 04 field technicians, it also includes resources to carry out training and implement organic management practices. The total cost of the project is valued approximately 50,000 euros. It will take place over the next two years.
For this, we hope to have the financing for the purchase of 4 motocidañas (mowers) to reduce the use of pesticides for weeds. That represent a budget about 2,000 euros to buy of 4 trimmers to combat weeds.
Central Cacao Aroma, made up of 4 associated cooperatives:
(1) Agroindustrial Cooperative CPcacao Tocache Ltda, made up of 108 member families.
(2) Agroindustrial Cooperative Cordillera Azul Nuevo Progreso Ltda., made up of 125 member families.
(3) Paraíso Agroindustrial Cooperative, made up of 130 member families.
(4) New Vision Cocoa Producers Association, made up of 47 member families.