In a major push to modernize local agriculture, cocoa producers from Morazán North and South recently completed intensive hands-on training in advanced grafting techniques and nursery management. Organized by El Salvador’s Ministry of Local Development (MINDEL) as part of the Productive Reforestation Program with High-Value Cacao,the hands-on sessions in Osicala equipped growers with elite propagation skills designed to increase farm yields and long-term crop quality.
During the workshop, participants delved into cacao genetics, variety compatibility, and pest-prevention strategies.Farmers practiced selecting top-performing growth patterns and vegetative buds (varetas) from proven, disease-resistant trees to multiply top-tier cacao varieties. Program technician Moisés Torres emphasized that “grafting allows producers to replicate the best traits of selected trees and significantly optimize plantation efficiency.”
Beyond pure cacao cultivation, the initiative actively integrates agroforestry systems by intercropping cacao with companion species such as paterna, cují, and plantains. This multi-crop approach creates crucial shade for delicate cocoa plants, promotes land reforestation, and provides farming families with secondary sources of harvest and diversified income streams.
To ensure immediate practical impact, MINDEL supplied producers with high-grade cocoa and fruit seedlings,backed by ongoing technical guidance and field monitoring. By pairing superior genetics with sustainable agroforestry, El Salvador is positioning its regional cocoa sector for improved market competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.