Roberto Reyes, a member of the Cacahuatl de Rl producers’ organization in the community of San Pedro Nonualco, El Salvador, tells us about his beginnings in the cacao sector and rural promotion.
“Currently I have a three-year-old cocoa plot of 1 mz of land established under agroforestry systems. I like to apply the knowledge I have learned and share my experience with other producers in my community” Roberto Reyes.
Roberto Reyes joined the MOCCA project in 2020 and since then has actively participated in all the events and workshops developed in coordination with Lutheran World Relief, including the use of mobile equipment (cell phones), workshops on the management of the application “Cacao Móvil”- www.cacaomovil.com, and “Aprendiendo Desde Casa”- as well as the use of WhatsApp for the creation of collective learning groups, distribution of technical content, cascade type trainings and producer-to-producer extension methodologies.
“We did not know much about the use of technology and good practices for cacao cultivation. Through the trainings we have learned how to develop organic products to fertilize and manage pests, pruning techniques so that the tree has a good production, how to harvest properly and post-harvest processes to obtain better quality” Roberto Reyes
“New technologies provide us with information at our fingertips and allow us to connect with cacao producers to share best practices that impact the productivity and profitability of their farms. The support of Lutheran World Relief through the MOCCA project and Cacao Móvil has been fundamental throughout this process” Roberto Reyes
Roberto is one of the promoters who stands out for his management in the development of training networks, sharing his experience and technical assistance with 50 assigned producers in his community using the Cacao Móvil application and the digital resources developed by MOCCA and Lutheran World Relief.
Thanks to the experience and knowledge acquired, Roberto and his family have been able to increase the productivity of their farm and their income and access a better quality of life.
“My priority is to support my children in their studies so that they can succeed. In the future I see myself as an independent producer with the knowledge and financial resources needed to transform my cacao farm. I want to continue helping the cacao growers in my community to have a better production so that the cacao of our country might be recognized as a benchmark of quality” Roberto Reyes
