OUR PORTFOLIO
Since 2017, we have developed and operate TWELVE PROJECTS, in seven countries in CENTRAL, SOUTH AMERICA and AFRICA covering a total project area of 20,000 hectares.
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Native hardwoods, teak, acacia, cocoa, coffee, bananas and coconut palms in sustainable agroforestry systems.
The latest technology and best agricultural practices to achieve outstanding yields and product prices for investors.
Ambrosia
Dominican Republic
This 30-year-old coconut farm set across 2,132 Ha was purchased with aim of rehabilitating the established coconut palm plantation back to full productivity and to establish a 800-Ha fine flavor, organic cocoa plantation inter-cropped with coconut palms, which will be the largest in the Dominican Republic and among the largest in the world.
The farm is split between mechanizable area, non-mechanizable area and natural forests. A modern fertigation system will be installed in the mechanizable area. In parallel, new and higher-yielding coconut palms will be planted next to the aging existing ones. The coconut palms will thus keep producing nuts until the new palms start producing. The old palms will then be removed.
The farm has 843 Ha of natural forests that are and will continue to be protected, which will ensure the provision of important ecosystem services such as natural pest control, wind protection, and water flow regulation.
The entire Project will be organic certified and produce premium cocoa for export and a range of premium-quality coconut products, such as virgin coconut oil, coconut water and sugar, sold domestically and abroad.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Nagua, Dominican Republic
SIZE: 2,132 Ha
MANPOWER: 38 in 2019 to 300 by 2021
FARM TYPE: Mixed
COCOA CLONES: CC-10, CRIOLLO-11, ICS-40, ICS-95, IMC-67, IML-44, ML-105, ML-106, ML-22, UF-221, UF-29, UF-296, UF-613, UF-676
COCONUT HYBRIDS: Chactemal, Donaji
RAINFALL: 3,000 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 36 - 543 meters above sea level
SOIL: Highly weathered Ultisols
APPROACH: Organic farming
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Inter-cropping
Drip fertigation
Habitat protection
Boca del Monte
PANAMA
Boca del Monte is a brownfield forestry project aiming at improving the quality of existing teak and acacia plantations through best silvicultural practices and added-value marketing of high quality certified timber. Boca del Monte is fomenting research and innovative forest management practices through experimental plots with native species combined with old grown teak.
Maximizing the environmental and social impact is an important objective in this project, which has 60 hectares of conservation areas, including gallery forests along watercourses. The Acacia mangium plantations are restoring the very degraded soils to produce timber, while a positive social impact is achieved by creating rural employment, community activities, reforestation in communal areas, and support of education for children and adults in the neighboring communities.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Chiriquí Panama
SIZE: 399 Ha
MANPOWER: 13
FARM TYPE: Forestry
TREE SPECIES: Tectona grandis, Acacia mangium
RAINFALL: 2700 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 30 - 110 masl
SOIL: Ultisols
APPROACH: Sustainable forestry certified with FSC, Gold Standard
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Soil restoration,
Managing native species (natural regeneration) as next forest generation
PLAN DE MANEJO DE PAN BOCA DEL MONTE
DIAGNÓSTICO REALIZADO PARA EVALUAR LA PERCEPCIÓN EN LA COMUNIDAD
INFORME TÉCNICO PÚBLICA DE PANAMÁ PARA LA DETERMINACIÓN DE ALTO VALOR DE CONSERVACIÓN
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Cuango
Panama
On the eastern Caribbean coast of Panama, an enclave of the afro-Caribbean culture, 12Tree is transforming 1,500 hectares of degraded grasslands using a perennial agroforestry system with regenerative potential, while protecting 660 hectares of natural rainforests.
The main operation of the farm will be the production of fine flavor cocoa and native hardwoods. We intend to plant six cocoa varieties to increase crop resilience and variety of flavors.
The farm is split between production land and forest. On the production unit, we are intercropping plantains, pigeon peas, nitrogen fixing trees (madre cacao -Gliricidia sepium) and timber trees (almendro -Dypterix panamensis), all of which are used as shade for the cocoa, but also act as protection against wind and heavy rain, provide sustenance for pollinators and insects, and reduce additional chemical fertilization needs. We are also planting 235 hectares of mixed forest with native hardwoods in the hilly areas that are not suitable for mechanized cocoa production but still have good fertility.
The remaining 660 hectares of the farm are biological corridors of natural rain forests, which have been put aside for wildlife conservation and the provision of ecosystem services. By reforesting pastures through agroforestry, we expect to enhance landscape connectivity and increase wildlife populations on the farm. A recent biodiversity assessment found Ocelots, Margays, Pumas, Peccaries, Agoutis, Coatis, Tayras, Ant eaters, and many different bird and bat species living and making use of our forests.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Colon, in the eastern Caribbean coast
SIZE: 1,455 ha
MANPOWER: 102 in 2019
FARM TYPE: Mixed
COCOA CLONES: CATIE R1, R4, R6, PMCT58, B1 Costa Rica, Criollo - Bocas del Toro
NATIVE HARDWOODS: Almendro - Dypterix panamensis, Zapatero - Hieronyma alchorneoides, Cedro - Cedrela odorata, Mayo - Vochysia ferruginea
RAINFALL: 3,000 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 10-50 m
SOIL: Sedimentary rocks and alluvial deposits
APPROACH: integrated farming
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Agroforestry
Soil monitoring
Companion crops
Drip irrigation
Habitat protection
Chimelb
Guatemala
Finca Chimelb is a magnificent 4,500-hectare farm in Lanquín, Alta Verapaz. Chimelb is the largest cacao farm in Alta Verapaz with 250 hectares of cacao cultivation. Specialty coffee, rubber and cardamom are also grown, and 2,300 hectares of natural forest are protected.
Finca Chimelb will employ approximately 400 workers across all crops on average. As in all 12Tree farms, Chimelb complies with the national laws and pays social security for all employees. Finca Chimelb has an exceptionally diverse clonal garden to evaluate heirloom cacaos and new clones, monitor tree productivity and compatibility, and use these data to increase yields. The farm espouses environmentally friendly cultivation, planting shade crops like rubber trees to control soil erosion, planting cover crops like Brachiaria grass, and reproducing beneficial fungi to naturally restore less fertile areas. As part of the “One by One” program, Finca Chimelb has hosted multiple trainings for local smallholder farmers in collaboration with Operagro CH, and takes its social responsibility seriously in contributing to the Guatemalan cacao industry through a combination of trainings, employment, clonal development, and research into best practices for the local conditions.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Lanquín, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
SIZE: 4,751 ha
FARM TYPE: Mixed
COCOA CLONES: CATIE R1, R4, R6, PMCT58, ICS 95, CCN 51, FHIA 706, FHIA 707, CAP 34, Chimelb 11, 13, 14, 15, Theobroma Bicolor, some UF’s
OTHER CROPS: lemon, rubber, coffee, cardamom
RAINFALL: 2,720 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 350 - 1200 masl
SOIL: rocks of sedimentary origin mainly limestone; clayey, acid and deep soils of moderate to low fertility
APPROACH: integrated farming, regenerative and diverse farming
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Agroforestry
Multicrop
Habitat protection
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Limón and Guantupí
Ecuador
Located in the crib of the Arriba flavor, the Guayas basin in Ecuador, these two estates feature 17-year-old National-variety cocoa plantations currently being rehabilitated by 12Tree.
Haciendas Limón and Guantupí are two cocoa farms planted with a National cocoa variety known as “Arriba”, a rare, fine ecuadorian cocoa variety currently threatened by the spread of more productive varieties.
Located in the area of influence of the majestic Cotopaxi volcano, the haciendas are set across 260 hectares of the best possible soils for growing cocoa. Shaped by volcanic activity, soils here are fertile, deep, well-structured, have a high organic matter content, good moisture retention and drainage.
12Tree is rehabilitating this unique plantation threatened by a high incidence of pests and diseases. Investments are being made in corrective pruning, preventive treatment of pests and diseases, a new drip irrigation system, and organic fertilization. And a brand new post-harvesting center is being put in place for the finest cocoa production.
The genetic materials planted in Haciendas Limon and Guantupí were developed by INIAP (National Institute of Agricultural Research). These materials are of the highest possible quality and correspond to the most demanding chocolate makers' criteria. Cocoa beans from Guantupí and Limon are certified Heirloom Cacao and have won international awards, including:
Good Food Awards 2018: Winner
The International Chocolate Salon 2017: various Bronze and Silver awards
Academy of Chocolate 2016: Silver and Gold
Academy of Chocolate 2015: Bronze
Great Taste Awards 2015: 2 x Gold stars
FARM FACTS
REGION: Quevedo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
SIZE: 192 Ha
MANPOWER: 24 in 2018, reaching 46 in three years
FARM TYPE: Multi-variety fine flavor cocoa
COCOA VARIETIES: EET-19-103-95-96-48, EETP800 and EETP801, CCN51
RAINFALL: 2,785 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 120 m.a.s.l
SOIL: Fertile, deep, and well-drained Andisols
APPROACH: Organic farming
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Plant rehabilitation: Corrective pruning and Fertigation
Genetic diversity of locally developed and climate adapted cocoa varieties
CERTIFICATION: UTZ-certified by 2021
La Gloria
COLOMBIA
Teak (Tectona grandis), a well sought-after tropical hardwood is endemic to confined areas of Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Laos and continues to be illegally logged at an alarming rate, as it is famous for its various applications, durability and water resistance.
Carefully and strategically chosen, La Gloria has a climate conducive to the growth of high quality teak, and is situated within rural communities that have mainly been neglected by the government’s economic opportunity efforts. Located 40 km from the next paved road, the plantation is currently the largest and only “formal” employer for the surrounding villages and hence an essential pillar of the local economy.
In total, La Gloria, located in Sabanas de San Angeles, Magdalena encompasses 7,200 ha, of which 1,068 ha are currently planted with teak and leased by 12Tree. This region displays a Tropical Savanna climate (according to Köppen climate classification) and was originally covered by topical dry forests. This region was deforested before the 1980’s to be used for cattle grazing, cultivation of cotton and other agricultural products.
La Gloria’s teak plantations are currently verified of capturing 20 tons of carbon per hectare per year under the Colombian carbon credit scheme. Teak plantations on former pastures and agricultural lands will help to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, increase biodiversity, protect hydrological resources, inhibit soil erosion and sequester carbon.
In order to guarantee a long-term impact, the land has been leased for 30 years.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Magdalena
SIZE: 7,200 Ha
MANPOWER: 100
FARM TYPE: Forestry
TREE SPECIES: Tectona grandis
RAINFALL: 1300 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 100 m
SOIL: Alfisols
APPROACH: Pristine primary forests continue to be lost, particularly in tropical areas with weak governmental structures. To meet the world’s demand for quality timber, well-managed plantations with high yields are the most suitable solution to satisfy the needs of increasing populations, consuming the smallest possible area and protecting natural forests.
INFORME DE MONITOREO COL LA GLORIA S.A.S.
RESUMEN DEL PLAN DEL MANEJO FORESTAL
La Paz
Colombia
Hidden away in eastern Colombia, the remote Vichada department is home to vast tropical grasslands. In the heart of these plains lies La Paz farm, some 90km south-west of the main city of Puerto Carreño. Further north, the majestic Meta river creates a natural frontier with Venezuela.
In 2006, the Colombian government earmarked the Vichada department for a vast afforestation program. Since then, a number of local operators have begun planting trees. At La Paz farm, 12Tree has partnered with a local landowner and operator to transform this land into a thriving and productive ecosystem over the long term.
Our primary goal is to regenerate the soil. We are growing Acacia mangium trees to fix nitrogen and enrich the land with nutrients. Known for their fast growth, these trees can reach heights of 20 meters in roughly 10 years. When felled, the timber can be used for construction or charcoal. In parallel we are conducting research on native tree combinations so, once the soil is replenished, the second phase will see the planting of a mixed forest of native timbers.
A 35-strong team works and lives on the farm. The local farm operator provides training and opportunities for career progression. Wages are twice the local minimum. Our workers also benefit from free healthy food and on-site accommodation. Making it a working environment where everyone can thrive.
The farm is an important biodiversity corridor connecting the surrounding natural habitats. A study conducted by WWF in 2014 recorded 645 different animal species, including jaguars – a great indicator of a thriving fauna. Conservation efforts are also under way to protect local springs and streams.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Vichada, Colombia
SIZE: 3,000 ha
MANPOWER: 35
FARM TYPE: Forestry
TREE SPECIES: Acacia mangium
NTFP: Honey
APPROACH: soil restoration for reforestation with native species
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Afforestation
Carbon sequestration
Biomass production
Maquencal
Colombia
12Tree is rehabilitating a 400 ha cacao plantation of unique potential in La Jagua de Ibirico, Cesar, in the Caribbean region of Colombia.
Hacienda Maquencal is the largest cacao farm in the Cesar department, spanning over 900 hectares, 200 of which are protected natural and old-growth secondary forest.
In a region that has been heavily impacted by paramilitary and guerrilla groups and open-pit coal mining, Hacienda Maquencal provides a dignified source of employment in an impoverished region. Fair wages, social security, training and education are ensured for all employees and its families.
The rehabilitation of Hacienda Maquencal with climate-smart practices include the composting of cacao pods to use as fertilizer and soil amendment, the rehabilitation of the irrigation system with the latest drip irrigation technology, the construction of a water reservoir that will ensure sufficient water during unusual drought periods, and the construction of a state-of-the-art post-harvesting center.
Additionally, data collection systems are being implemented to monitor daily crop water and nutrient requirements which allow to reduce fertilizer inputs and the water footprint of the crop.
The new post-harvest facility will ultimately allow a faster and more homogenous fermentation and drying process, substantially improving the quality of the cocoa and allowing for direct off take by international buyers.
FARM FACTS
SIZE: 947 ha
MANPOWER: 206
FARM TYPE: Cocoa
COCOA VARIETIES: CCN51, Iquitos acriollados
REGION: Cesar, Colombia
RAINFALL: 1,543 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 130 masl
SOIL: Alluvial deposits from the Cesar river; sandy loam soils low in organic matter content and slightly acidic
APPROACH: Perennial farming
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Composting
Precision agriculture
Habitat protection and riparian restoration
Platanera Rio Sixaola
COSTA RICA
Platanera Rio Sixaola is a pioneer in sustainable banana plantation
Platanera Rio Sixaola is carbon neutral certified and the principles of the circular economy are central to its operations. It uses solar panels to supply 80% of its energy consumption. It recycles the water used in post-harvesting. It transforms agricultural organic waste into compost. It grows melina tress to make pallets in which the banana is then exported.
In order to safe guard the health of consumers, workers and the environment, harmful pesticides are prohibited and pest control is done through beneficial fungi and micro organisms.
90 ha of conservation area and extensive bio-corridors connect nearby natural forests which facilitates the movement of wildlife, provide shelter and food.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Talamanca, North-Eastern Costa Rica
SIZE: 296 ha
MANPOWER: 140
FARM TYPE: Bananas and Melina
RAINFALL: 2333 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 86 masl
SOIL: Alluvial soils
APPROACH: Sustainable banana production for export to Germany with zero nematicide and herbicide application
CERTIFICATIONS: Rainforest Alliance, GlobalGAP, CO2 neutral Marca País Esencial Costa Rica.
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Soil management
Biological control
Premium prices for environmentally and socially friendly banana production
Rio Lindo
ECUADOR
Rio Lindo was the name given to three geographically separated cocoa farms, which encompass a total land area of 638 hectares, including 407 ha of cocoa planted with CCN-51 variety as well as 119 ha of teak.
The farms are located in a region that is known as the “cocoa cluster” of Ecuador. The fertile soils and the favorable microclimate in this region are key for the high cocoa yields that are being produced in Rio Lindo.
The high-yield farm-cluster uses an intensive model based on a special nutrient mix, intensive pruning, efficient soil management and ongoing rejuvenation of the cocoa trees, with the goal of increasing the lifespan of the crop. Efficient fertigation is a cornerstone to this high productivity, as well as mechanized pruning and harvesting.
12Tree’s sustainability concepts will be applied to increase ecological and social impact, raising the farms’ overall value by delivering sustainably sourced cocoa. Currently, Rio Lindo is preparing to get UTZ certification.
Cocoa is currently being sold wet in the local market. However, to sell dry beans with the efficiency and quality required by the international market, a state-of-the-art post-harvesting center is underway, seeking to achieve the best balance between technification of processes and physical and organoleptic quality of the cocoa beans.
12Tree plans to slowly replace the CCN51 to Nacional Arriba (the leading local fine flavor variety) and other fine flavor varieties.
FARM FACTS
REGION: Quevedo, Ecuador
SIZE: 638 Ha
MANPOWER: 118
FARM TYPE: Cocoa and forestry
COCOA CLONES: CCN51
RAINFALL: mm/year
ALTITUDE: 50 - 155 masl
SOIL: Mostly flat and ondulating slopes
APPROACH: High-yield farming
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Smart irrigation
Precision agriculture
Tafilalet
MOROCCO
12Tree is investing in what will be the largest Medjool plantation in the world. Situated at the border of the Draa Tafilalet and Oriental regions, eastern Morocco, 627 hectares of land are about to offer us the best variety of dates in the world: the authentic Medjool. 100% tissue cultured from Moroccan Medjool palm trees, this variety is commonly known as the queen of dates, which offer the best value in the market.
This unique plantation will be in line with international standards that a team of international experts has been able to set up after visits to the best Medjool plantations in California, Middle East and North Africa.
Divided into two independent and self-sufficient farms, and naturally fenced with more than 28,000 Casuarina and Acacia trees (both species adapted to semiarid regions) the 52,000 Medjool palm trees will be certified by a third-party laboratory as well as by the Moroccan health agency ONSSA.
In this dry region of the Northern Saharan steppe, crops can be dependably produced only with irrigation. Thus water management is of major importance in this project. Water will be electrically-pumped from 40 wells, which tap into two huge aquifers of 240,000 m3 that are strictly monitored and regulated by the Moroccan government, ensuring that withdrawal rates do not exceed natural supplies or recharge. Water will be pumped from 120 meters deep, in order to not interfere with nomad communities who exploit the shallow water tables adjacent to major stream channels which pass through the basin.
With state-of-the-art drip irrigation system we will be able to reduce the use of water by about 50%, compared with most conventional date plantations which use flood irrigation.
Data analytics, machine learning and other tools of performance will provide a greater efficiency and control over the operation in real time.
Production and post-harvesting processes will comply with environmental and social standards with the willingness of obtaining Global gap certification. Equipment and facilities will count with ISO certification.
FARM FACTS
SIZE: 627 Ha
MANPOWER: 55
FARM TYPE: Medjool dates
TREE SPECIES: Medjool palm trees
REGION: Tafilalet, eastern Morocco
RAINFALL: 265 mm/year
ALTITUDE: 850 masl
SOIL: Clay minerals and consists of quartz, muscovite and humic substances.
APPROACH: Organic farming
KEY FARMING PRACTICES:
Mechanization
Fully organic
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