Transforming Lives Through Cacao Farming
In the lush, green heart of Peru’s Ucayali region, something extraordinary is happening. Hundreds of Peruvian cacao farmers are turning the fruits of their labor into lasting change, and it’s all thanks to a powerful combination of innovation, fair trade partnerships, and a deep love for the land. The goal of Food For The Poor and its partners was bold: increase the income of 500 cacao farming families by 20 percent. The result? A three-fold increase in cacao-related income and a ripple effect of hope, dignity, and opportunity across the region
A Partnership Rooted in Purpose
At the center of this story is the Cooperativa Agraria de Cacao Aromático Colpa de Loros, a vibrant local cacao cooperative that formed a game-changing commercial agreement with KAOKA, a French company known for organic, fair-trade chocolate. By eliminating the middleman and connecting directly with the final market in France and Belgium, farmers were guaranteed a fair price and a future.
This is more than business. It’s a sustainable, farmer-to-client model that ensures every bite of chocolate tells a story of fairness and resilience.
A Stronger Livelihood – and More
The success of the project has been profound.
According to the final evaluation, cacao farming income tripled, rising from approximately $4,755 per year to over $15,850.
Families crossed the monetary poverty line set by Peru’s National Institute of Statistics and Informatics, with even the lowest-income households earning more than the national threshold.
Producers are now reinvesting in their farms, purchasing better tools and organic fertilizers.
The Cooperative itself began producing and offering affordable organic fertilizer, helping farmers reduce costs while improving yields.
Benefits Beyond Income
The increased income has meant so much more than economic growth. Families have been able to:
- • Pay off debts
- • Make home improvements
- • Send their children to school
- • Access better health and education services
- • Enjoy improved food security by growing crops without harmful chemicals
And for many, it’s a matter of pride and empowerment.
The Leadership of Martha
Martha, a former nurse in Lima and the current president of the Colpa de Loros Cooperative, returned to her rural roots, trading exhaustion for purpose. With no prior knowledge of agriculture, she stepped into cacao farming and never looked back.
“Thank you for giving us life,” Martha said. “It would be great if you can continue working with us to give more life to others.”
Martha now grows multiple varieties of cacao, including a specialty type she calls Chocomich. Her journey from novice farmer to two-time elected president is a testament to what women can achieve with training, opportunity, and vision. Today, nearly 30 percent of participating farmers are women, actively engaged in economic decision-making for their families and communities.
A New Chapter for Ucayali
Thanks to your support and the dedication of the Colpa de Loros Cooperative, these families are no longer just surviving – they’re thriving. Their chocolate isn’t just organic or fair-trade. It’s the product of love, sweat, community, and hope. It’s made with dignity. It’s made with life.
And it’s just the beginning.
“What we wanted was to have anybody who tried our cacao, to know that it came from Colpa de Loros, made with love and hard work,” Martha said.
Through your generosity and God’s grace, this community is writing a new chapter, one cacao bean at a time.
Want to see the impact for yourself? Watch these powerful videos featuring the Peruvian cacao farmers from Colpa de Loros in action. You’ll hear directly from the community members whose lives have been transformed—and see the heart, hard work, and hope behind every cacao bean.