The history of Ito Farm illustrates how families in Tomé-Açu adapted to sudden change. In the 1960s, Jorge Ito dedicated his land to black pepper, then the most important crop in the region. When fusariosis devastated pepper fields in the 1970s, many producers were forced to abandon their farms. The Itos chose another path, diversifying their production to survive.

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At first, passion fruit was introduced as a quick solution, providing income through its short cycle. Soon after, cacao was planted together with cassava, creating shade and beginning a more stable production system. By the 1980s, the farm had transitioned to agroforestry, integrating cacao with a wide mix of fruit and timber species.

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“Today, when visitors come, they think they are in a little piece of the dense Amazon rainforest,” said Jorge Ito. Walking through the property, cacao grows alongside chestnut, andiroba, cupuaçu, açaí, jackfruit, and bananas, forming a system that resembles the forest. This diversity protects the soil, reduces vulnerability to pests, and produces a steady supply of crops for both market and family use.

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Ito Farm is one of our many small-scale producers: 21 hectares with 6,000 cacao trees producing around 1.5 tons per year. The farm represents the long-term value of diversification. Manual harvests, natural fermentation, and sun-drying ensure consistent quality, while the agroforestry system provides ecological stability that single crops could never offer.

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Today, management has passed to Renato Ito, who continues his father’s work, who passed away in 2023. Under Renato's management the family’s role in Tomé-Açu’s agricultural future is secured. The Ito story is less about volume and more about resilience: how one family turned crisis into a lasting model of biodiversity and continuity.