Mango chutney: collective production in Toluviejo

On April 20, 2026, several women from the rural Colombian community of La Esperanza in Toluviejo gathered to carry out a mango chutney production. Ceiden, Luz Stella and Naudy took part in the activity, working together to bring the preparation to a successful conclusion.

Find out how this production succeeded despite numerous challenges.

The day was a success, even though the mango harvest was limited this season. Early rains in February caused the flowers to drop prematurely, as farmers explained. By reducing the quantity of fruit, this weather event also drove prices up. Sourcing the necessary mangoes proved to be a real challenge for the producers. Ceiden managed to find 2 kilos of ripe mangoes in the neighbouring municipality of Colosó and immediately suggested starting production before the mangoes became overripe. Even though there were still not enough fruit to reach the required 7 kilos and local shops in Toluviejo had none in stock, a solution was found — though it added complexity to the production process.

Once the ingredients were secured, the recipe was carried out as usual. First the mangoeswere peeled, then blended, and finally the other ingredients were added. The mixture was cooked in a cauldron over a wood fire. At the end of the process, the day wrapped up with a shared snack and the bottling of the chutney, carefully sealed in boiling water.

There is still an ongoing mission for the women of La Esperanza: getting the professional hobs up and running for future productions. In a rural setting, finding spare parts to keep equipment functioning can be complicated. Here, the issue lies with the connectors between the hobs and the gas cylinder. That is why, in the days following the production, a trip was made to Sincelejo to acquire the necessary replacement parts. The goal for May is to inaugurate a full production run using professional hobs. This will bring continuity and greater scale to these community initiatives.

This article reflects our association’s commitment in Colombia to the cause of women.