Critical points of cocoa postharvest management in Waslala, Nicaragua

Abstract

From January to June 2009 was analyzed the post-harvest processing of cocoa in 49 cocoa producing farms members of CACAONICA cooperative, in the municipality of Waslala, Nicaragua. The purpose of the study was to generate information on costs, man hours, and critical points of postharvest processing in farms, and conduct a SWOT analysis on the feasibility of implementing a model to collect up the cocoa beans covered with mucilage in two community centers. Surveys were applied to producers and a semi-structured interview to technical team of CACAONICA, and for other key stakeholders associated with the local marketing of cocoa beans. A matrix was created to perform both the analysis and the management of variables: man hours, area planted, yields and family involvement in cocoa processing. All organic farms visited are certifi ed. Thirty producers have small areas with cocoa, approximately 1 ha, and nineteen have between 1.5 and 7 ha. The cocoa postharvest processing into the farm consists of three stages and six activities: stage 1 (extraction- selection of seed), stage 2 (fermentation and drying) and stage 3 (packaging and transport). The process lasts 21.7 calendar days, however, the real time required in man days turned out to be 9.14, with a total cost of USD 40.33 by 45.45 kg (1 quintal) of cocoa . Stage 1 was the most expensive of the postharvest processing (USD 30.13 per quintal). The critical points that affect the quality of the grain were: fermentation (41%) and drying (31%). The equilibrium point was 361.8 kg ha-1 cycle-1, yields below this threshold means that the cacao does not pay the costs invested by the farmer. The family involvement in the postharvest processing of cocoa is relevant, the participation of women requires more attention. Collect up the cocoa beans covered with mucilage and do a centralized postharvest processing is considered as good strategy by the vast majority of producers (69%). They will participate as long as payment is on delivery of grain (USD 48.87 per quintal). The success of this beans collection centers will depend of the good facility conditions, the purchase of grain from farmers, the definition of routes of collecting in communities, and the equipment and training to technical personnel responsible for the collection centers.

La Calera, Vol.14 No.22, Mayo 2014, pp.5-12