Seeds of Sovereignty • Cacao and Indigenous Food Sovereignty | Full Documentary

Context of Cacao Production

• Tania reflects on the past when families were smaller and cacao productivity was higher.

• Initially produced 5-6 sacks of cacao but faced challenges with crop management.

• Lack of remedies led to decreased yields over time.

Personal Experience with Cacao

• Speaker has lived with cacao for 46 years, recalling both positive and negative experiences.

• Positive: Cacao formerly had no significant disease issues and produced abundant fruits.

• Negative: Today, despite more labor, yields are lower due to various infections.

Challenges Faced

• The introduction of monilia, a disease affecting cacao, created significant challenges for farmers.

• Prior to monilia, farming involved less effort and yield was abundant.

• Current challenges include the need for constant monitoring to maintain fruit quality and production levels.

• Younger generations are losing interest in cacao farming due to its demanding nature.

Cultural Significance of Cacao

• Indigeneous communities continue to value cacao highly; it is integral to their culture and livelihoods.

• Past prices for cacao were favorable (e.g., $5 per pound), but increased production has led to lower prices.

Disease Impact and Agricultural Practices

• Monilia was potentially introduced through disease-infected seeds from external investors.

• Many farmers abandoned cacao farming in favor of livestock due to the high maintenance costs associated with cacao.

Agricultural Initiatives and Innovations

• The Ministry of Agriculture introduces high-yield, disease-resistant cacao varieties to help local farmers.

• Establishment of experimental plots to compare traditional practices with modern agricultural technology.

Traditional Cacao to Chocolate Production

• The cacao-to-chocolate process is artisan, heavily reliant on traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

• Efforts are made to empower women working in cacao farming with fair compensation and recognition of their work.

Future and Economic Viability of Cacao

• Future success relies on investments in infrastructure and direct purchases from small farmers to ensure fair pricing.

• Tourism development is seen as a beneficial avenue for economic sustainability, with programs like Cacao Blessings.

Socioeconomic Context

• Indigenous communities perceive development as potentially damaging to natural resources and agricultural practices.

• The impact of COVID-19 highlighted the self-sufficiency of rural communities compared to urban areas suffering from food scarcity.

Community and Education

• Importance of passing down cultural knowledge regarding agriculture and self-sufficiency.

• Educating future generations to value communal resources over monetary gains is emphasized.

Personal Testimonials

• Claricia Jiménez: Emphasizes a life intertwined with cacao since birth.

• Mauricio: Grew up seeing cacao cultivation as a means to support his family.

• Silvia Guerra & Damari Smith: Express pride in their heritage and the benefits of working with nature.

Conclusion

• The interconnection of cacao production with cultural identity, economic stability, and environmental sustainability is vivid in the experiences shared by the speakers.