COSURCA
Cooperativa del Sur del Cauca · Cauca, Colombia
About this project
The Cauca region of Colombia is one of the country's most biodiverse growing areas — and one of its most climate-vulnerable. Government research confirms that Cauca faces elevated risk of drought and fungal crop disease, both of which are intensifying. COSURCA has been proactive: since 2015, they've been introducing cocoa production and commercialization as a diversification strategy, transitioning depleted conventional coffee farms into agroforestry systems. By 2026, 120 farms covering 176 hectares are in the cocoa program.
The challenge now is depth of adoption. Fifty-seven percent of those farms have low agroforestry integration, making them still vulnerable to the drought and disease pressures the program is meant to address. Income, food security, and cocoa quality all suffer when shade is insufficient and soil health is degraded. COSURCA's 2026–2030 operating plan centers on closing that gap — and this impact fund project is a key piece of that work.
The project is well-leveraged: COSURCA secured 65% of the total project value ($45,250) from the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture. The impact fund's $16,970 fills the remaining gap and specifically enables the community nurseries, on-farm organic fertilizer production, family garden seeds, harvest tools, and the training that will help 280 households meet certification standards and increase yields. Youth and women are prioritized for all training opportunities.
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Project goals
Establish community nurseries to supply native shade trees, fruit trees, and cocoa saplings to the 57% of farms with low agroforestry adoption — improving soil water retention, temperature control, and long-term climate resilience.
Set up on-farm organic fertilizer production at each participating household, improving soil regeneration, reducing input costs, and turning farm waste into a resource.
Distribute family garden seeds (plantain, yucca, corn, fruit) and the tools needed for cocoa harvest and post-harvest management — building food security and income alongside the coffee and cocoa crops.
Build cocoa fermentation and drying infrastructure to increase the quality and value of cocoa sold, and train farmer promoters on cocoa management and organic certification compliance — prioritizing youth and women.
Who this supports
Project updates
June 2026 — Funding approved
The Cooperative Coffees impact fund approved $16,970 for COSURCA's agroforestry and cocoa resilience project. Combined with $45,250 from the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture, the full $62,220 project is now funded. Nursery establishment and farmer training coordination is underway.
Updates coming as nurseries are established and training begins. Check back soon.