Peru

In 2012, we pioneered one of the first youth involvement initiatives in Peru’s cocoa sector. We launched our coffee programme in 2014. Currently, we are running our Cocoa & coffee programme, and our Good Food for Cities programme in the cities of Lima and Huancayo.

Sustainable Cocoa and Coffee programme highlights for 2024

We supported cocoa and coffee producers to apply regenerative agricultural practices on a total of 647 hectares. We did so by combining technical assistance for farmers with supporting 53 producers in managing 58 hectares of demo plots showcasing cocoa and coffee production in sustainable agroforestry systems. We also worked with 17 partner cooperatives, providing coaching in internal management (governance), traceability and financial processes, to ensure compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). In addition, 144 producers were trained to assess deforestation risks and lead due diligence processes. We also supported the adoption of digital farmer identities and information systems to help cooperatives meet traceability requirements. For instance, we worked with the technical team of ACPC Pichanaki cooperative to georeference the 394 plots of land of its 367 members.

Good Food for Cities programme highlights for 2024

In Lima, Rikolto supported collective action to strengthen the relationship between urban consumers and agroecological producers. In 2024, seven community-led biological food fairs were organised in collaboration with the Pachacamac network of community kitchens and agroecological smallholder family farmers. These fairs generated over €6,889 in sales, improving access to healthy and sustainable food for Lima citizens while supporting the livelihoods of producers. The initiative also sought to affirm the role of women running the community kitchens as rights holders and key actors in local food governance. In parallel, the network of community kitchens, supported by ECOSAD, engaged in a policy dialogue with the Pachacamac District Council to promote the regulation of the use of public spaces for local producers' markets.