CATIE opens enrollment for the second edition of the Cacao Diploma Program

• The International Professional Diploma Program Profitable and Resilient Cacao will be offered virtually, with the option to enroll in the full program or individual modules.

CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) has opened enrollment for the second edition of the International Professional Diploma Program Profitable and Resilient Cacao, an academic program designed to strengthen the technical and strategic capacities of individuals involved in cacao production, management, and commercialization.

Enrollment will remain open until April 24, 2026, and classes will begin in May 2026, delivered in a 100% virtual format.

The diploma program has a duration of 120 hours and is structured into three modules: Agronomy and Management of Cacao Farms, Agroforestry and Environmental Services, and Quality, Traceability, and Sustainability.

Each module combines synchronous and asynchronous sessions, thematic forums with experts, individual and group practical assignments, continuous assessments, and 24/7 access to CATIE’s Virtual Campus, an educational platform based on Moodle.

The cost of the full diploma program is USD 700, and participants also have the option to enroll in individual modules for USD 250 each. The training includes full access to the platform, academic materials, facilitator support, and official CATIE certification.

“This is the second edition of the Diploma Program, and the response from the sector has been very positive. So far, 108 individuals have participated in at least one module, and 68 have completed certification for the full diploma. This demonstrates the growing interest in strengthening more profitable and resilient cacao systems,” stated Luis Orozco Aguilar, diploma coordinator.

As part of the program, an optional practical week is offered, which may be conducted in different countries in the Region, provided there is a minimum of 20 students in the country, or in Costa Rica. During the previous edition, 16 participants were hosted in Costa Rica from October 1 to 3. Due to strong interest from participants in the Dominican Republic, a practical session was also conducted in the country from December 9 to 11, 2025, in San Francisco de Macorís, with 21 participants. On both occasions, participants engaged in intensive learning experiences, strengthening their knowledge through theoretical sessions and hands-on demonstrations in cacao agroforestry systems under real production conditions.

“Activities included technical visits to the Mata Larga Experimental Center of IDIAF, the KoLFACI–CATIE project demonstration plot in Salcedo, and the facilities of ROIG Agrocacao, where participants learned about fermentation, drying, storage, and grain traceability processes. These types of experiences strengthen decision-making in cacao agroforestry systems,” explained Chelsia Moraes, member of the academic coordination team.

The experiences shared by participants demonstrate the diploma program’s impact on their professional development.

“It was a very positive and enriching experience. It allowed me to acquire practical and up-to-date knowledge, thanks to the support of highly qualified facilitators who demonstrated great professionalism and subject mastery. This learning strengthened my competencies in sustainability, profitability, and cacao resilience, making the process clear and meaningful. Without a doubt, this diploma program added significant value to my training and my perspective on the cacao sector, and I consider it highly valuable and strongly recommend it,” commented Awilda Rodríguez, from FUPAROCA, Dominican Republic.

For their part, the Zorzal Cacao team highlighted the immediate applicability of the learning: “The three days of practice were highly valuable for us. We were able to test the knowledge acquired during the diploma and learn how to use different tools to perform more effectively in the field. We are committed to applying what we learned,” stated Ramón Belén Lora, Rafael Concepción F., and Nilson Manuel Portorreal of the Zorzal Cacao Team.

The program is aimed at professionals, technicians, and individuals linked to the agricultural sector who wish to update and strengthen their knowledge in sustainable cacao production, farm management, and quality and traceability standards.

Interested individuals may complete the enrollment process on the website: https://www.catie.ac.cr/diplomado-profesional-internacional-cacao-rentable-y-resiliente/