The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation announced on April 21 an investment of more than S/ 10 million to strengthen the cacao production chain in the province of Mariscal Ramón Castilla, located on Peru’s border with Brazil and Colombia. The initiative includes new post-harvest collection centers and technical assistance for fifteen communities.
This investment aims to improve economic opportunities for local families by enhancing infrastructure, providing training, delivering agricultural inputs, and supporting producer organizations. Ten post-harvest collection centers were inaugurated in San Pablo district as part of a plan to implement a total of 114 such facilities across the province. The new modules are expected to standardize fermentation and drying processes—key factors influencing cacao prices—and reduce post-harvest losses while helping producers meet quality standards required for better market access.
In addition to San Pablo, nine other communities have received similar benefits. In Cushillo Cocha and four other localities within Ramón Castilla province, another component called “Proyecto Cacao” is being launched with an additional S/ 4.8 million investment. This will establish another 104 modules aimed at promoting agroforestry systems and dry grain processing for economic recovery.
The ministry’s intervention also emphasizes continuous technical support rather than one-time deliveries. This includes crop phytosanitary management, introducing Amazonian fish farming techniques for both consumption and sale, as well as sustainable use of camu camu stands. Felipe Meza Millán, Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, said: “We have come to this part of the Amazon to learn about the progress made through PEBDICP—a key initiative to strengthen cacao production and improve economic opportunities for our producing families. As a State, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting agrarian development in border areas and continue strengthening productive chains not only for cacao but also camu camu and other regional products.”
The actions are managed by the Special Binational Project for Integral Development of the Putumayo River Basin (PEBDICP) and benefit several rural communities by distributing technological packages that include organic fertilizers, foliar sprays, and field tools as part of this year’s agricultural campaign budget.
The Ministry promotes cultural well-being through rural inclusion efforts according to its official website. It operates from its central headquarters in Jesús María with decentralized offices throughout Peru according to its official website. The agency functions within Peru’s Executive Branch according to its official website advancing strategies that promote sustainable agriculture according to its official website. Serving agricultural producers nationwide according to its official website, it supports legislation that strengthens rural development according to its official website since being established by law in 2020 according to its official website.
