Nicaragua has ambitious plans to become a world leader in cocoa production through developing a high quality, organic product.

An article on the website of the World Bank outlines how several Latin American companies hope to boost their economies by supplying cocoa to meet increasing global demand, especially from China.

Currently, cocoa is only grown on 11,000 hectares in Nicaragua – primarily by smallholder farmers - but estimates suggest the country has .9 million hectares of land suitable for cocoa production. Nicaragua hopes to grow more of its already high quality cocoa in organic and agroforestry systems.

The cocoa market is dominated by Africa with Cote d’Ivoire as the biggest producer in the world. Latin America produces more than 15.4% of the cocoa consumed around the world, with Brazil and Ecuador in the lead.

The article tells the story of Doña Brenda Salazar who took part in a sustainable management project for agroforestry systems supported by the World Bank. The initiate worked with indigenous people, peasants and people of African descent to provide training in organic production and certification, as well as cost calculation, marketing and business plans. Since becoming involved in cocoa, Salazar has developed a successful business and is in charge of the Nuevo Sol cooperative.

Read the full story: Chocolate Gives New Impetus to Nicaragua’s Economy