Promote the use of renewable energy in cocoa cultivation

A group of researchers from the Technological University of Panama (UTP) installed renewable energy systems based on photovoltaic and solar thermal production for the benefit of cocoa producers in Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca.

Orlando Melgar, a researcher at the Center for Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Research and Innovation (CINEMI) of UTP, leads the IDDSE19-012 project called “Integrated renewable energy systems to improve the competitiveness of cocoa producers in Ngäbe Buglé Comarca”.

The purpose is to contribute to the improvement of the economic condition and quality of life of cocoa growers through the efficient and sustainable use of renewable energy in post-harvest processes, in the conditions of an inclusive and participatory social context.

“The project promotes environmentally friendly production systems consistent with the production of organic cacao trees characteristic of the Silico Creek community. Due to time constraints, the mentioned project implements solutions in the primary phase of cocoa production and on a small scale, making the need to focus efforts on improving post-harvest activities such as fermentation and drying apparent,” said Melgar.

Workshops and training talks for cocoa farmers in the Solary RL cooperative, in the Cilico Creek community, are also part of the project.

The training activities included the participation of speakers such as Wedleys Tejedor, scientist at the Center for Agro-Industrial Production and Research (CEPIA) and researcher associated with CEMCIT AIP; Danilo Toro, researcher at the Center for Electrotechnical, Mechanical and Industrial Research and Innovation (CINEMI) and Gilberto Cruz, associate of the Directorate for Management and Knowledge Transfer (DGTC) of UTP).

Likewise, Yesslyn Sarmiento, CINEMI researcher; Konstantinos Gkollini, associate of CINEMI and Abelardo Franco, teacher at the regional center of Bocas del Toro UTP.

“In the next few days, we are finalizing the assembly of the electrical circuits that make up photovoltaic production system; as well as functional tests of the solar water heating system”, added Melgar.

At the same time, he specified that other technical and administrative tasks will eventually be performed; as well as the final event for the presentation of the results, considered in the dissemination strategy of the project.

The project is supported by the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies in Science, Engineering and Technology (CEMCIT AIP) and funded by Senacyt.