From Coca to Cacao: Colombia Pushes Farmers to Exit Cocaine Trade

Nov 20, 2017 | Michelle Begue
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Colombia says it sees an opening to end its infamous cocaine trade. The government is enticing farmers to change their crops from coca to cacao. Peace between the government and rebel group FARC makes this possible. It was Uriel Casallas’ trade for years. On his four hectares of land, he had seven workers and even a lab where a chemist made cocaine base. But trying to leave the stress of his illegal trade behind, five years ago Casallas opted to slowly transition out his coca crops, replacing them with cacao, the plant behind chocolate. “This requires money and dedication, because cacao is a plant that requires three years to mature before you can receive money,” he explained. “That is why people don’t want to change their plants.”