Public–Private Partnership to Support Community-Based Coffee, Cocoa, and Panela Organizations in Northern Cauca – Colombia

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) and the Colombian Sugarcane Growers Association (Asocaña) signed an agreement with community organizations in the northern region of the Cauca department to promote rural development in the area. In 2024, a total of USD 3,250,000 was invested—USD 1,875,000 from MADR and the remainder from Asocaña—benefiting 1,170 families. An additional USD 11,750,000 is expected to be invested by 2026. The agreement promotes community-based business models with an export-oriented focus, aiming to generate greater medium- and long-term profits for all members of the production chain (MADR, 2024). The signing community organizations include the Association of Community Councils of Northern Cauca (Aconc), the National Association of Peasant Users of Northern Cauca (ANUC Norte del Cauca), and the National Unified Agricultural Union Federation (Fensuagro). In this first phase, support was provided to strengthen 4 cocoa processing enterprises, 25 panela mills (trapiches), and 20 productive initiatives based on coffee and its by-products. The initiative seeks to strengthen business and productive capacities, support productive and economic development, and promote national and international commercialization (ANUC Norte del Cauca, 2024).