133790Digitising cacao production in ColombiaClosedBEIS-Funded ProgrammesInnovate UKThe project is investigating the potential to develop a digitally enabled decision support tool for cacao production in Colombia. Colombia is the World’s 10th largest producer of cacao, the market for which is currently undersupplied but growing. Improving the productivity and sustainability of cacao production in Colombia, focused on the production of premium cacao, can support the development of a valuable export ‘peace crop’ which helps the country transition successfully after decades of internal conflict. This will benefit smallholder farmers, the communities in which they live and empower female farmers in some of Colombia’s most rural areas. The project is led by digital agriculture specialist and UK SME Agricompas Limited, which over 18months will use digital, crop modelling and AI technology expertise from the Universities of Lincoln and Reading to work directly with the cacao association of Colombia, FEDECACAO and farm extension specialists Solidaridad to support Colombian farmers and the cacao supply chain. The aim is to create a digital decision support tool for cacao farmers which can be commercialized across cocoa growing countries once proven in Colombia.