   |
| COCOA |
|
 Cocoa Plant |
The Cocoa Program dedicates its activities to create and transfer low cost technologies that are based on its own research and to adapt other techniques that have been successful elsewhere in the world to local conditions. It has continuously promoted the development of this crop by supporting producers, institutes and/or projects that are interested in this important crop that protects and improves the environment.
The transfer of technologies between small cocoa producers of the Atlantic Coast area has resulted in improving crop handling techniques and making Honduras the leading exporter of cocoa in the Central American region. Seven thousand hectares of planted cocoa have an estimated annual production of five thousand metric tons of fruit. About half of this production is processed within Honduras, and the other half is exported to other Central American countries and to Italy. |
The Cocoa Program maintains a close relationship with forestry projects and promotes cocoa as a crop with attributes that blend in well with local ecosystems, and may be used in combination with fruit or wood producing trees as an alternative to generate additional income while protecting other resources such as water and soil.
This program also supports the transfer of technology by producing hybrid seeds, implants and seed plants.
 |
|
 |
