Abstract

SANCHEZ VARGAS, Adriana del Pilar; CASTELLANOS DOMINGUEZ, Oscar Fernando  and  DOMINGUEZ MARTINEZ, Karen Patricia. Roadmapping for improving cocoa postharvest management. Ing. Investig. [online]. 2008, vol.28, n.3, pp.150-158. ISSN 0120-5609.

This article presents the methodology and results which led to preparing post-harvesting technological development strategies for cocoa management which emerged from identifying problems such as deficient cocoa quality and insufficient fermentation of the beans according to international market requirements as shown in the poor technological development in Colombia ’s main cocoa producing areas. This situation led to using a technological management tool such as roadmapping orientated towards formulating strategies for the technological development of cocoa postharvest management. The methodological process so implemented involved experts’ ongoing participation in enriching and validating results whilst four phases were implemented: performance analysis, gap analysing, structuring roadmapping and formulating cocoa postharvest technological development strategies. The results obtained in this investigation were directed towards improving Colombian cocoa sector competitiveness in internal and external markets.

Keywords : roadmapping; cocoa postharvest management; performance analysis; gap analysis; benchmarking.

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