TİKA Supports Rural Development in Colombia: Sugarcane Production Facilities Established in Ricaurte

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has enhanced the production infrastructure for sugarcane farmers in Ricaurte Municipality, Nariño Department, Colombia through a two-phase development project.

Implemented in collaboration with the Colombian Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC Colombia) and the Regional Renewal Agency (ART), the project aimed to boost rural development by establishing sugarcane processing systems (trapiches) at four different locations. As a result, the production capacity of approximately 80 farming families affiliated with ASOCAMPARI (Association of Sugarcane Farmers of the Municipality of Ricaurte) has significantly increased.

This initiative, carried out under the PDET (Regional Development Program with a Territorial Approach), a priority program supporting rural development in the post-2016 peace agreement era, contributes to the promotion of sustainable and legal agricultural practices in Colombia.

Production Capacity Doubled

In the first phase of the project, launched in 2024, two production units were established in San Pablo village, within the jurisdiction of Ricaurte Municipality. In the second phase, completed in 2025, two additional units became operational in the villages of San Isidro and Chambú.

With the new systems in place, farmers’ hourly processing capacity increased from an average of 50 kilograms to 110 kilograms. As a result, annual production per farmer rose by an average of 1.2 times. Farmers use these systems to boil sugarcane and produce a natural sweetener known as “panela”.

ASOCAMPARI officials remarked, “The traditional methods passed down from our ancestors have been enhanced with modern systems, thanks to TİKA. Productivity has increased, and the environment has been preserved.”

Contributing to Peace and Economic Development

ART, which partners with TİKA on the project, operates under the Colombian Presidency and works to improve living standards in regions affected by the country’s civil war. The municipality of Ricaurte is among the areas included in the PDET.

This project, supported by TİKA, also contributes to Colombia’s peace process through rural development. At the same time, it seeks to promote alternative, legal, and sustainable agricultural production as a substitute for illicit crop cultivation.

TİKA Recognized as a Strategic Partner

Recognized as a strategic partner by the Colombian Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC Colombia) under its 2024 “Result-Oriented Partnerships” program, TİKA continues to reflect Türkiye’s friendly and cooperative approach by supporting projects that foster peace and rural development in Colombia.

What is Panela?

The main product generated through the project, panela, is a natural sweetener made by boiling sugarcane juice. It is widely used in Latin American cuisine. Since Colombia has virtually no sugar beet production, the country meets a significant portion of its sugar demand through panela. Especially in rural areas, panela is a household staple and holds a vital place in Colombia’s cultural heritage due to its traditional production methods.