The Ares Task Force, the only special unit of the Colombian Air Force, has been guarantor of the programs of substitution of illicit plantations in the department of Vichada. Recently 4,700 kilos of premium quality cacao were transported in an airplane C-295 of the Colombian Air Force, from Güerima to Bogotá.
The coca cultivation began to be replaced by cacao in 2012, when the Ares Task Force started this program with the local farmers, planting the first 67 hectares in what was then known as the 'Coca Triangle', comprised of the municipalities of Puerto Príncipe, Chupave and Güerima. The first harvest was obtained in December 2016, when 2,416 kilos were transported. Currently, the Colombian Air Force has already transported 19,058 kilos of cacao as part of the Program of Voluntary Substitution of Illicit Plantations and Integrated Development of Alto Vichada, in support of the Cooperativa de Campesinos, Producers of Cacao, del Alto Vichada (PROAGRO), who with their work and effort continue working in legality.
Given the reception and benefit generated by this program for the communities, in 2017 it was extended to other hamlets in the municipality of Cumaribo, such as Chaparral, El Tuparro, Santa Rita and Palmarito, with 246 hectares planted with cacao.
This program in the same way counts on the support of the Government of Vichada and is part of the second collective agreement of voluntary substitution of illicit plantations and comprehensive development of the upper Vichada, with the National Government and supported by the company Casa Luker, for the purchase and commercialization of first quality cacao, as well as for the training of farmers in Palestina, Caldas, where they receive advice and training. To date, 125 farmers have already been trained to carry out this productive project.
Source: Colombian Air Force
Monday, January 28, 2019 By MERYBRA
