The Minister of National Defense visited Güerima, in the department of Vichada, accompanied by 15 peasants from El Catatumbo region, to present first-hand the successful productive project Triangle of Cacao, an initiative that has transformed the region and has provided new opportunities to the people of the department of Vichada.
During his visit, the Minister of Defense highlighted the importance of this project as a successful model of voluntary substitution of plantations for illicit use and comprehensive rural development. He highlighted the inter-institutional collaboration and the commitment of local communities as key elements for the success and sustainability of the initiative. He in the same way expressed his support for the expansion of the project and its replicability in Catatumbo, Norte de Santander Department, as a key step to start transforming the region's economy.
The event was in the same way attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, the director of Substitution of Plantations of Illicit Use, the head of Purchases of Nutresa, the technical coordinator of Casa Luker, the president of Proagro and representatives of the Agrarian Bank.
The Cacao Triangle project, led by the Association of Agricultural Producers of Alto Vichada (PROAGRO), the Colombian Aerospace Force and the company Casa Luker, since its implementation in 2013, has managed to replace plantations of illicit use by the planting of Cacao. To date, more than 400 hectares have been planted, benefiting peasant families that previously belonged to the so-called black triangle of coca.
Source: GAORI Public Communications Office
