Análisis del proceso poscosecha y agroindustrial de la producción de cacao Theobroma cacao L., El Carmen, Manabí.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the post-harvest and agroindustrial processes in the production of Theobroma cacao, El Carmen, Manabí. To this end, cocoa producers were surveyed on the variables of post-harvest work and crop production; a multivariate analysis was conducted to classify and describe dimensions using hierarchical clustering and K-means techniques. The results established that the post-harvest work used by producers in the cocoa production process starts with the identification of the type of cocoa they produce, both national cocoa and CCN-51, they harvest more from February to May, extract the almonds in the plantation, their production is between 5 and 10 quintals, and sell their cocoa at collection sources (collection center) in slurry, which is destined for export. The agroindustrial chain was determined in the transformation of the raw material from the cocoa crop, which begins with basic agro-industrial processing, since they have little training in these matters, this being one of their main difficulties due to lack of knowledge; finally, these farmers state that they do not commercialize agro-industrial products, although if they did, they would consider making chocolate as a final product.