On July 19, flavors born in the communities of Matavén made their way to Inírida. During the Farmers’ Fair organized by the Mayor’s Office of Inírida, members of the Indigenous community of Cumaral shared with visitors products grown and transformed within the territory. Their participation took place through the Coomatavén Cooperative and is part of the REDD+ Matavén Organic Cacao Agroforestry Project, an initiative that seeks to create new income-generating opportunities through productive activities that are compatible with forest conservation.
Cumaral is one of the communities participating in this project. There, one of the cacao nurseries supports a process that begins with cultivation in the territory and continues with the transformation of the cacao into products that are now reaching new markets.
From Matavén Cacao to New Products
Cacao powder, cacao paste, cacao sweets, cacao mucilage honey, cakes, cookies, and fresh cacao pods were among the products presented at the fair. Behind each product is a process of learning and transformation that helps make better use of the harvests, add value to cacao grown in Matavén, and create new income opportunities for participating families. The community also brought products from the conuco, such as chili peppers and lulo, reflecting the diversity of foods cultivated and woven into everyday life in the territory.
Protecting the Forest by Creating Opportunities
Participation in the Farmers’ Fair generated income for the community of Cumaral and introduced Coomatavén products to new consumers in Inírida.
Through its Productive Projects, REDD+ Matavén seeks to strengthen local capacities, generate new sources of income, and promote alternatives that help ensure forest conservation also translates into opportunities for the communities. Cacao grown in Matavén reflects this connection between conservation and well-being: producing within the territory, transforming products locally, strengthening economic autonomy, and continuing to protect the forest for future generations.