Evaluación de las Buenas Prácticas Agrícolas y su Impacto en la Calidad del Cacao en el Municipio de Nilo - Cundinamarca

Abstract

The study is based on the idea that Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) not only ensure food. Safety and environmental sustainability are also essential for improving competitiveness in national and international markets, especially in the fine and flavored cacao segment. The municipality of Nilo offers favorable agro-climatic conditions for cacao, such as fertile soils, a warm climate, and rich biodiversity. However, the adoption of GAP faces significant challenges. These include the lack of specialized technical ability, limited access to post-harvest infrastructure such as drying facilities and fermentation centers, limited knowledge of international quality and safety standards, and weak organization among producers. Nonetheless, farms that implement GAP report notable improvements in the organoleptic attributes of cacao—such as aroma, flavor, and texture—thanks to better management of fermentation, drying, and agronomic practices. Furthermore, the implementation of GAP helps mitigate negative environmental impacts such as deforestation and agrochemical pollution, while promoting the well-being of rural communities through sustainable practices and safer working conditions. In this context, producer associativity appears as a key strategy to facilitate training, collective certification, access to economic incentives, and integration into differentiated value chains.