AGROSAVIA initiated in Santander the execution of four Symposiums focused on cadmium in cocoa cultivation

• Within the framework of a research project financed by IICA, the Symposium on Cadmium was carried out in San Vicente de Chucurí on May 4 and 5, aimed at producers in the area and technical assistants to generate greater awareness about the relevance of cadmium in cocoa cultivation.

 

San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander. May 8, 2023. The project entitled "Improving Capacity and Knowledge in Cadmium, STDF," is being carried out in four countries: Peru, Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago, and Colombia. This project seeks to strengthen the knowledge related to this heavy metal found in the soil, and in the case of cocoa cultivation, it shows high, medium, or low rates, depending on the area of the country and the agronomic management of the plantation.

Ph.D. Associate Researcher of the Tibaitatá Research Center, Daniel Bravo, who directs this project in Colombia from Corporación colombiana de investigación agropecuaria AGROSAVIA, expressed that this is a work developed together with Federación Nacional de Cacaoteros Fedecacao, aiming at promoting and disseminating the information provided.

For two days, the issue was approached by delivering three publications that address the topic in detail from three perspectives: i. general aspects, ii. studies carried out, and iii. scientific recommendations. In parallel, conferences were presented on the general aspects of cadmium, agronomic management, physiological and fertilization aspects, and field visits to the farm Villa Mónica of Fedecacao in San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander.

This is the first of four Symposiums, which will be replicated in Antioquia, Huila, and Tolima. Ph.D. Researcher Nesrine Chaari of the Nataima Research Center added that these conferences are a great opportunity to socialize innovative techniques in the diagnosis of cadmium, and pointed out: "We have had many questions, excellent feedback, and we hope that participation will be just as prominent in the next symposia."