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Ecuadorian Farmers Showcase Cocoa Legacy at Chokao 2026 Fair
🇪🇨 Ecuador /Economy & Trade

Ecuadorian Farmers Showcase Cocoa Legacy at Chokao 2026 Fair

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Nestlé Ecuador participated in the Chokao 2026 fair, highlighting the work of Ecuadorian cocoa farmers and their connection to the final chocolate products.
  • The event showcased the "Cultivando Legados" initiative, focusing on the knowledge, practices, and stories of families involved in Ecuador's cacao value chain.
  • Plan Cacao supports over 7,500 farmers across 11 provinces, promoting sustainable agriculture and significantly boosting productivity compared to the national average.

At the Chokao 2026 fair, Nestlé Ecuador provided a platform for Ecuadorian farmers to share their legacy and the intricate process behind their prized cacao. The event aimed to connect consumers directly with the producers, illustrating how the journey from farm to table shapes the quality of chocolate enjoyed nationwide.

Central to the fair's narrative was Don Agustín Morán, a farmer associated with Plan Cacao. His participation offered visitors a tangible link to the origins of Ecuadorian chocolate, demonstrating the vital role of agricultural production. This experience was part of Nestlé's "Cultivando Legados" initiative, designed to spotlight the expertise, effective methods, and personal stories of the families integral to Ecuador's cacao value chain.

Plan Cacao, a program with over 16 years of experience, directly benefits more than 7,500 farmers spread across 11 Ecuadorian provinces. The initiative operates on three core pillars: "Mejores Fincas" (Better Farms), "Mejores Vidas" (Better Lives), and "Mejor Cacao" (Better Cacao). Through technical training and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, the program has demonstrably enhanced productivity. Farmers in the program achieve an average yield of 1.3 tons per hectare annually, significantly surpassing the national average of an estimated 0.8 tons.

Don Agustín, who joined Plan Cacao in 2022, cultivates cacao on his 4.34-hectare farm, producing approximately 130 quintals per year. He actively implements regenerative agriculture practices, including planting fruit and timber trees, beekeeping, and vermiculture. For him, cacao represents not only a source of income but also a valuable legacy to pass on to future generations. Nestlé Ecuador's involvement at Chokao 2026 underscored the dedication of these producers and their contribution to a more sustainable cacao industry, improved production quality, and the development of cacao-growing communities throughout Ecuador.

For the farmer, cacao represents both a source of income and a legacy for the next generations.

— Don Agustín MoránDescribing his personal connection to cacao farming.
About this summary

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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