Head of MARENA Biodiversity division visits MLR Forestal

Katia Chévez, head of the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity division of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA), visited MLR Forestal. Chévez accompanied by Norlan López, Technical Coordinator MARENA Las Minas; Yamir Castillo, Environmental Inspector MARENA Las Minas and Deyvis Ríos, also Environmental Inspector MARENA Las Minas toured the different areas of the company.

The tour began with the presentation of the vanilla trial. At the end of 2019, 1000 vanilla cuttings of the two most important varieties on the market were established in the nursery: Planifolia and Pompona, used both in gastronomy and in pharmaceuticals. It is expected that in 2023 the first productions will begin.

The nursery not only produces for plantations but also for the reforestation of the area

“We started with the nursery where the vanilla trial, production of native plants, teak and cocoa was presented. They asked us about the plants destined for the enrichment of protection areas on farms and sites of interest of neighboring communities. Regarding this, it was explained to them that some of them are for use by the company in the reforestation days that it promotes and others are donated to government institutions for the regeneration of degraded sites in the area,” explained Cyntia Córdoba, Head of Environment and Certifications of MLR Forestal.

Cocoa combined with teak model, in harmony with biodiversity.

As part of the agenda, the model of cocoa grown in association with teak was inspected. “The handling of the model is excellent. It is in harmonious coexistence with the environment and the characteristic biodiversity of the region, “said Chévez.

The delegation was given copies of the bird catalogue and the mammal catalogue that MLR Forestal has published on the species that live in its plantations and conservation areas.

The head of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity expressed her interest in MARENA participating in the enrichment campaigns of degraded areas of the region and added that she will invite the company to conferences and assemblies that are held in order to promote the care, protection and enrichment of protection areas.

Chocolate from MLR Forestal generated positive reaction

Afterwards, the visitors went to the cocoa collection center. On site they were explained the drying and fermentation process and were told how the industrial dryer and fermenter boxes work.

The last point of the itinerary was the cocoa sample laboratory. there they were informed about the production process of liquor or cocoa paste and the tests that are done to achieve the best chocolate with the variety of fine aroma cocoa that is grown and harvested in MLR Forestal. They were then given a chocolate tasting.

“The reaction was quite positive. Due to the characteristics of the chocolate, we were told that it was a finer flavor than what they had received in other plantations they had already gone to. In addition, they were served a sample of cocoa jam from the juice that comes out of the fermenter. This was well valued for its flavor and texture, “said Córdoba.