Economic contribution of working equines in cocoa production in two communities of Waslala, Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast, October 2021 to March 2022

Abstract

The presence and participation of horses in various economic, social and cultural activities is notable in the development of cocoa production units and other areas. It is essential to quantify its economic relevance and role in the livelihoods of cocoa-producing families. In this study, 31 producer members of the Nueva Waslala Cooperative, belonging to the communities of Ceiba Dudú and Dipina, were surveyed. The information obtained made it possible to quantify the savings in the labor force of the families and the contribution of the work carried out by the equines during the last cycle of cocoa production, which lasted from October 2 021 to March 2 022. The research approach was quantitative and descriptive, using a non-probability sample for convenience. The results indicated that the cocoa production tasks that depend the most on the strength of the horses are the harvesting of the fruit and the transport of the production from the home to the collection center, where 86% of the owners rely on these. animals to carry out these activities. Consequently, it is estimated that the savings in cocoa production costs, due to the existence of at least one working equine in each household, is approximately USD 305.03 during the crop harvest period. In addition, each horse contributes to the savings of about 212.8 days of work per year for its owner. These findings document the importance of the presence of equines and their well-being in the sustainability of the livelihoods of cocoa-producing families that have these animals.