GANEMOS Student Develops Financial Tool to Transform Cacao Farming in Colombia

• Pablo Hernández, a student in CATIE's Master's in Agribusiness and Sustainable Markets Management (GANEMOS), designed a financial model applied to cacao that is already attracting interest from producers and companies in the sector.

With a financial tool built from real data and designed to empower cacao producers in Colombia and Latin America, Pablo Elías Hernández Pérez, a Colombian agronomist and student of CATIE’s Master's in Agribusiness and Sustainable Markets Management (GANEMOS), shows how academia can respond to urgent needs in the agri-food sector.

This initiative, titled “Design of a Financial Model for Sustainable Cacao Farming in Colombia,” is part of Pablo’s graduation project for the 2023 cohort. It enables accurate estimation of the real production costs of cacao, using more than five years of historical data from Colombia’s National Chocolate Company.

The tool is adaptable and dynamic, not only allowing for profitability assessments of productive projects but also being applicable to other agro-industrial crops.

“I decided to do this project because I saw a real need in the sector: many people want to venture into cacao farming, but there is little reliable and contextualized financial information. This tool allows real data to be adjusted to the reality of each producer, whether small or large,” Pablo explains. “In fact, the company recognized the potential of this model not only for cacao but also for other agricultural crops.”

At CATIE, Anthony Gamboa, his academic advisor, emphasized the importance of the work: “From the beginning, Pablo’s proposal caught my attention. Finances continue to be a weak point in many areas, and this is even more evident among producers, who don’t always have access to clear financial tools.”

Adriana Escobedo, academic coordinator of the GANEMOS Master's, added: “Seeing the results of projects like Pablo’s clearly reflects the connection between academic work and real impact in agribusiness. These types of initiatives go beyond traditional approaches because they provide benefits from the farming family to the end consumer.”

The tool is currently undergoing final review and is expected to be published on the website of the National Chocolate Company, along with training for its use. “People are already requesting it online. It’s useful both for those just starting in cacao farming and for those who already have plantations and want to know if they are truly profitable,” Pablo notes.

GANEMOS: Training Professionals for Change

CATIE’s Master's in Agribusiness and Sustainable Markets Management (GANEMOS) is a fully virtual program with a practical, results-oriented approach. With an international faculty and a methodology based on real-world challenges, the program prepares professionals to lead sustainable projects with economic, social, and environmental impact.

The next cohort begins in September 2025, and admissions close on August 4. For more information, visit: agronegocios.catie.ac.cr

“The master’s program allowed me to apply what I learned right away. It broadened my perspective and gave me new tools to innovate in my daily work. I now feel I have a more comprehensive vision to better support the agricultural organizations we work with,” Pablo concludes.