Our Goal
To enable 30 farmers to increase cocoa productivity and generate additional income, while promoting sustainable development.

Funding Required
$20,000

Environmental Issues in Venezuela
Venezuela's Henri Pittier National Park is one of the most biologically diverse parks in the world. Its lush foliage is home to 580 different bird species - almost 7% of the world's total. But human encroachment, pollution, and inadequate resources have endangered this vast biodiversity.

To deal with this threat, Fundación Tierra Viva, a leading local nonprofit and one of The Resource Foundation's affiliates in Venezuela, developed a project to protect the area's biodiversity, preserve traditional cocoa farming practices, and raise the living standards of local inhabitants.

Project Activities
Tierra Viva will offer local farmers training and technical assistance in cocoa production and plant management. It will also assist farmers with organic certification procedures and help them strengthen the activities of the local farmers cooperative.

This is an ongoing project. Since it began in 2001, farmers have learned to produce certified organic cocoa beans. This has generated increased income thanks to growing demand for organic chocolate in the international market. Furthermore, now that farmers are no longer using pesticides or other harmful practices, forests such as those in the Henri Pittier National Park are better protected.

Our Partner
Fundación Tierra Viva is a nonprofit organization founded to promote and execute sustainable development projects. Tierra Viva implements educational programs and works to conserve natural resources and improve quality of life in rural and urban communities with high levels of poverty. It offer sustainable development programs in Lake Valencia Basin, Henri Pittier National Park, the Orinoco Delta, and the Opsino Municipality. In recognition of its impact, Tierra Viva’s Program for Environmental Education in the Lake Valencia Basin was recognized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as one of the 10 successful experiences in the fight against poverty in Venezuela.

You Can Help
Your support will help cocoa farmers generate added income and improve their quality of life. Donate now.

Contact us to learn more.

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