Fighting climate change through "patrimonialization": Study cases of the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica

The cocoa sector plays a significant role in the economies of Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. This study aimed to analyze ways to improve farmer's incomes and living conditions in a changing climate through a comparison of the cocoa sectors in these two countries. The research was based on fieldwork carried out over a period of 10 years and used an inductive methodology, including interviews, case studies, and landscape observation. The results revealed that both countries are trying to establish themselves in niche markets such as fine cocoa and/or organic cocoa, with a focus on quality as a means of differentiating themselves in a global market. The study also highlighted the importance of recognizing the sector and diversifying through tourism to find new resources. Furthermore, it was found that the way of fighting climate change is also through sector recognition and not only through technical improvements, as fine and flavour cocoa, organic and even more specialized: patrimonilized cocoa.

Keywords: Cocoa sector; Costa Rica, Dominican Republic; Patrimonialization; Farmers incomes