MOCCA has been collaborating with Fundación ProPetén since 2020, supporting different processes along the cacao value chain in the Petén area of Guatemala.
Lutheran World Relief also works with a network of community trainers who receive monthly training in the use of the Cacao Móvil application – www.cacaomovil.com, and technical topics related to the phenological cycle of the cacao crop.
Through the use of a cascade methodology to develop replications, training workshops, and technical assistance visits, these trainings reach approximately 150 producers of the Q’eqchi ethnic group.
One of the main challenges for cacao organizations in the Petén area is to achieve consistency in fermentation processes and cacao quality in order to qualify for higher-value markets and better prices.
In April 2021, ProPeten, together with the Jalacté organization, located in the municipality of San Luis (Petén), initiated actions to expand Guatemala’s involvement in the Regional Map of Cacao Flavors, developing a series of activities to optimize cacao quality and supporting neighboring producers in harvesting, fermentation, and drying processes, using temperature and pH meters to achieve an optimal process.
In post-harvest activities, the Jalacté cacao processing center has served as a benchmark for other processing centers because of its environmentally friendly production policy, using solar energy and properly managing waste and honey water through special pools.
“With the support of MOCCA, Fundación ProPeten is providing training to develop the skills and abilities of the technical team and mainly to specialize both promoters and managers of the collection centers of the organizations we work with” Walter Maldonado – Head of production and quality at Fundación ProPeten
“It has been an important experience to acquire new knowledge for cacao production. Knowing better practices in fermentation and post-harvest processes allows us to reach new markets and earn more income to improve the lives of our families” Hector Choc Cho – President of Jalacté
For ProPeten, an important achievement of the technical support provided by MOCCA and Lutheran World Relief was that in March 2021, a sample of the cacao produced by the Jalacté organization participated in the cacao of Excellence (CoEx) competition, positioning itself as one of the five best cacaos in Guatemala and earning national and international recognition as a cacao of excellence.
About ProPetén
Through the ProPetén Foundation, we provide technical assistance to strengthen the productivity and profitability of cacao-growing communities in the north of Guatemala, providing better quality planting material, reinforcing their knowledge of good practices in agroforestry systems, and forming better commercial links.
