Columbia Puede Project 4
Columbia Puede Project 3
Columbia Puede Project 2
Columbia Puede Project 1

Colombia PUEDE: Peace and unity through productive development and commercialization

    Overview

    Summary

    Colombia PUEDE is working to improve income earning opportunities of 2,000 smallholder farmers and their families in post-conflict areas of Colombia by increasing their productivity, improving the quality of their produce, and strengthening their market competitiveness.

    Colombia PUEDE works with small producers of coconuts, cocoa, and Tahiti lime in four post-conflict municipalities of the Department of Nariño, in the south of Colombia: El Rosario, Leiva, Policarpa, and Tumaco.

    We aim to help these farmers through:

    • Increasing their access to technical assistance and infrastructure.
    • Strengthening the capacities and skills of producers
    • Enhancing the market knowledge of small producers
    • Identifying market opportunities and value chain alliances.

    Recipients

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

    This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Social media

    Colombia PUEDE

    Through Colombia PUEDE, ITC is working to improve the income earning opportunities of 2,000 smallholder farmers and their families in post-conflict areas of Colombia by increasing their productivity, improving the quality of their produce, and connecting them with markets. 

    Colombia PUEDE works with small producers of coconuts, cocoa and Tahiti lime in four post-conflict municipalities in the Department of Nariño, in the south of Colombia: El Rosario, Leiva, Policarpa, and Tumaco. 

    We aim to help these farmers through: 

    • Increasing their access to technical assistance and infrastructure 

    • Strengthening the capacities and skills of producers  

    • Enhancing the market knowledge of small producers  

    • Identifying and taking advantage of market opportunities and value chain alliances.  

    PUEDE Coconut producer
    A coconut producing company in the Bajo Mira y Frontera Community Council
    Milena Moreno

    Empowering smallholder farmers

    The International Trade Centre’s Colombia PUEDE project, supported by the European Union Trust Fund for Colombia, is helping farmers and their families in post-conflict areas reach their dreams of a better life by improving their trade and income opportunities.  

    Among the multiple effects of Colombia’s decades of armed conflict is the destruction of livelihoods and, consequently, significant levels of rural poverty in today’s post-conflict regions. 

    We are transforming these communities by providing management, production and harvesting knowledge, and linking farmers in the areas that were most affected by armed conflict to new business opportunities. 

    Improvements in coconut, lime, and cacao production are now empowering smallholder farmers, including women and young people, to increase sales. 

    As these areas represent 90% of the country and 30% of the population, transforming the rural economy is key to promoting reconciliation, peace, and development in Colombia.  

    Tahiti lime producer
    Tahiti lime producer
    Milena Moreno
    The transformation of the rural economy is key to promoting reconciliation, peace, and development
    Show
    As small producers, through Colombia PUEDE, we have come to learn that we can produce limes of high quality and that we can increase our income by selling the fruit. Today, we are supported by an excellent and competent team who has guided us, so our product reaches the international market.
    As small producers, through Colombia PUEDE, we have come to learn that we can produce limes of high quality and that we can increase our income by selling the fruit. Today, we are supported by an excellent and competent team who has guided us, so our product reaches the international market.
    Omar Aguirre
    Campo Bello
    Tahiti lime farmers’ organization in Leiva, Nariño, Colombia.
    Tahiti lime farmers’ organization in Leiva, Nariño, Colombia.
    Asocacao has become stronger, our partners are more committed, and we are more aware that the future of our organization depends on us. Personally, I have also grown. I feel empowered as a woman. Before, I used to shy away from speaking in public. Now, I can express my ideas without restraint.
    Cocoa harvesting organization primarily commercializing raw beans.
    Asocacao has become stronger, our partners are more committed, and we are more aware that the future of our organization depends on us. Personally, I have also grown. I feel empowered as a woman. Before, I used to shy away from speaking in public. Now, I can express my ideas without restraint.
    Olga Portillo
    Asocacao Policarpa
    Cocoa harvesting organization primarily commercializing raw beans.
    Cocoa harvesting organization primarily commercializing raw beans.
    It is gratifying to see that our crops have improved. What I value most about Colombia PUEDE is that they take a chance on the youth, they train and support us. It depends on us to implement what we have learned and in doing so improve our families' wellbeing. In terms of market access, we have identified more clients beyond Nariño without going through intermediaries.
    Small producer organization primarily commercializing Tahiti lime, located in El Rosario, Nariño, Colombia.
    It is gratifying to see that our crops have improved. What I value most about Colombia PUEDE is that they take a chance on the youth, they train and support us. It depends on us to implement what we have learned and in doing so improve our families' wellbeing. In terms of market access, we have identified more clients beyond Nariño without going through intermediaries.
    Ernesto España
    Corfopatía
    Small producer organization primarily commercializing Tahiti lime, located in El Rosario, Nariño, Colombia.
    Small producer organization primarily commercializing Tahiti lime, located in El Rosario, Nariño, Colombia.
    We wish to continue working with young people to give them work opportunities and the choice of formal employment. We can dream of a new future by better reintegrating into society thanks to the resources granted by the ITC (International Trade Center).
    We wish to continue working with young people to give them work opportunities and the choice of formal employment. We can dream of a new future by better reintegrating into society thanks to the resources granted by the ITC (International Trade Center).
    Segundo Ordoñez
    Nueva Esperanza
    Small coconut and cacao producers’ organization in the process of social reintegration in civilian life in Tumaco, Nariño, Colombia.
    Small coconut and cacao producers’ organization in the process of social reintegration in civilian life in Tumaco, Nariño, Colombia.

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    ITC contact

    Nicolas
    Escobar Parra
    Email
    nescobar [at] intracen.org