Coomatavén participated in the “Economía para la Vida” forum, an initiative led by Prosperidad Social and the Mayor’s Office of Inírida focused on strengthening sustainable productive initiatives across the region.
During the event, the cooperative showcased its organic agroforestry cocoa line, cultivated by the communities involved in the Cocoa Agroforestry Project in the Matavén territory and locally transformed into cocoa paste and powder. The initiative reflects how strengthening sustainable value chains can generate real economic opportunities while contributing to forest protection and the well-being of Indigenous communities.
The agroforestry cocoa developed within the REDD+ Matavén framework is part of a long-term conservation vision where environmental sustainability is also connected to food security, income generation, and the strengthening of local economies in the Orinoco-Amazon transition region.
Sustainable alternatives to reduce deforestation pressures
Strengthening sustainable productive initiatives plays an important role in reducing deforestation pressures across the territory. Through value chains such as agroforestry cocoa, communities continue advancing productive models that integrate forest conservation, responsible production, and local economic development.
The local transformation of cocoa into paste and powder helps to:
- Strengthen technical and operational capacities within the territory.
- Generate sustainable economic opportunities for communities.
- Contribute to food security through responsible productive practices.
- Promote value-added organic products in regional and national markets.
These initiatives contribute to building sustainable alternatives connected to forest protection and long-term territorial resilience.
Indigenous leadership and territorial strengthening
The development of this organic agroforestry cocoa is possible thanks to the leadership of the Indigenous communities of the Selva de Matavén Indigenous Reserve and the collective work driven from the territory.
Spaces such as “Economía para la Vida” help showcase the potential of community-led initiatives, strengthen institutional connections, and open new opportunities for sustainable products developed within Indigenous territories.
Coomatavén’s participation in Inírida reaffirms REDD+ Matavén’s commitment to an integrated conservation approach, where forest protection also strengthens sustainable opportunities, territorial permanence, and the autonomous development of Indigenous communities.