Colombia’s Valle Del Cauca is the country’s third-largest economy, the third most highly populated and one of its most culturally diverse states. It is also the home to several FARC fronts which have operated and exerted influence in the area for more than 30 years, resulting in an area marginalized by the Colombian government and devoid of state investment. These conditions make the communities of Valle Del Cauca fertile ground for economic development projects that can aid in building sustainable peace.
PASO Colombia has revived hope in these communities by spearheading the resurrection of a long-planned project to build a milk processing plant in the city of Buga. In addition to raising funds and linking investors to the project, PASO Colombia is well positioned to offer complementary services to ensure the success of the project and to help peace to take root and thrive in the region.
Once built, the milk refrigeration and processing plant will directly benefit 200 dairy farmers and is estimated to indirectly provide benefits to more than 1,000 people including families and ex-combatants. The plant will increase the surrounding communities’ access to milk and yogurt, will provide jobs and help with the reintegration of ex-combatants, will drive economic growth, and will offer an approach to reintegration and peacebuilding that can be replicated in other places.