Medicinal plants - Import export

Region and Country Alto Beni, Bolivia Story In Bolivia, cocoa is found naturally in the forests of Beni, Cochabamba and northern La Paz. These beans are supplied by El Ceibo. This is a second level cooperative, founded in 1977 by 12 grassroot cooperatives. El Ceibo brings together more than 1200 small producers dedicated to the cultivation of organic cocoa in the Alto Beni region. Since 1977 it has dedicated its efforts to improving the livelihoods of its associates. Since many years, El Ceibo in collaboration with PIAF (Program for implementation of Agro Ecology and Forestry) have promoted the cultivation of cocoa in agroforestry plantation systems, growing cocoa along fruit crops, medicinal plants and timber. Currently, it’s leading the way as an example in Bolivia to cooperatives dedicated to organic agriculture. An important pillar in the strategy of El Ceibo for the coming years is to engage youth in the cooperatives to guarantee succession.