Fonmsoeam

FONMSOEAM is a small scale cocoa farmer association living in rural areas along the Mache Chindul Ecological Reserve (REMACH) in the Northwestern region of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Great Wilderness is commited to work with Fonmsoeam, a small scale cocoa farmers association to help alleviate poverty in Ecuador through a sustainable, market based project. Our major goals are to increases the finantial

benefits to farmers growing the world's finest cocoa and support conservation of the Mache Chindul Ecological Reserve (REMACH). FONMSOEAM (Federation Organization of Black and Mestizos Small Scale Cacao Producer from Esmeraldas, Atacames and Muisne) is an organization created in 2000, composed by 400 small scale cacao farmers living in 25 surrounding communities of the REMACH in the Esmeraldas province of Ecuador. This area is not only known worldwide for growing the exquisite native Cacao Fino de Aroma (Teobroma cacao), but also for being part of the globally important biodiversity region, the Choco-Manabi conservation corridor. This data contrast with the national statistical analysis that clearly establish Esmeraldas as the province with the countrys, highest deforestation rate of 9,567,5 ha per year. These dramatic socio-economic indicators are also reflected in the dismal state of basic urban infrastructure; 80% of the population does not have access to basic services such as electricity, road, fresh water and hygienic services including waste disposal and being the most depressed region in the Republic.