Collaboration between NGOs, private sector and international organisations for processing and marketing of eco products in Amazon Basin
Case Study C0042
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| Date | 2002 |
| Agency | Bolsa Amazonia |
| Donor/support agency | United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) POEMA |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Community conserved area |
| Geographic coverage | South America |
| Locality | Amazon Basin |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape and species |
| Development focus | Forest communities of Amazon Basin region |
| Conservation goals | Sustainable use of natural resources |
| Poverty reduction goals | Promotion of sustainable enterprises to improve the livelihoods of local communities |
Summary
Bolsa Amazonia is a regional programme for the sustainable development of local communities and the conservation of natural resources in countries of the Amazon Basin. This programme was created in 1998 in partnership with Brazilian NGOs, private companies like Daimler Chrysler and international organisations, like United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It is currently active in Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia and is expanding to Peru and Venezuela. It works with the forest communities and assist them from production till marketing. Communities have started processing and marketing products like Acai beverage, banana flour, coconut fibres and latex pots. Acai beverage is made from fruit pulp of Acai palm and is extremely nutritious energy drink. This palm was being exploited unsustainably and was under threat. Seventeen Brazilian communities have formed a producers association, set up a processing plant and have started producing Acai beverage. Banana flour is made out of dehydrated green bananas and is used in porridge, milkshakes and cakes etc. Bananas are cultivated in agro forestry systems, enabling the recovery of degraded land through reforestation and soil protection. More than 16 communities are involved in cultivation and processing of bananas. Likewise, coconut fibres are used as a substitute for Xaxim, an endangered species of orchid, to produce pots for plants. Earlier coconut husk was discarded and burnt. But now more than 5000 families of the region are organised in producer associations and seven agro industries. They sell the products directly to Poematec industry, a partnership between POEMA, the Brazilian programme on poverty and environment and the motor company DaimlerChrysler. Under the Amazon paper project, there are efforts to provide alternatives to wood based paper. The communities are cultivating a local plant Curaua as an alternative to the wood. Paper production is done in sustainable manner and income goes to local communities. The programme has established a marketing information system known as SIMBA, which links small scale producers and buyers. So far, there are 350 products, 100 buyers and 100 producers registered on this system. All products are marketed under fair trade, organic and natural banners to create a special niche. This has made the sale of the products quite easy and has returned handsome profits to the producers. Local employment has increased as producers are being integrated into large production chains and trade is increasingly on equitable basis. Conservation of tropical forests is being encouraged through a combination of agro forestry systems, natural resource management and the development of sustainable productive chains.
Conservation impact
The use of coconut fibres for making plant pots has reduced pressure on Xaxim, an endangered species of orchid. Likewise, Amazon paper is providing alternatives to wood based paper. Promotion of agroforestry systems has reduced pressure on forests
Poverty reduction impact
The programme has improved food security through agroforestry. Local employment has increased as producers are being integrated in to large production chains and trade is increasingly more done on equitable basis.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Facilitating access to markets
Ecoagriculture
Local employment/job creation
Partnership with private sector
Reference 1
http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/secondary/equator_prize2002.htm#brazil2
Reference 2
http://www.tve.org/ho/doc.cfm?aid=947
More information
Dr. Maria de Nazaré Imbiriba, General Secretary of the Bolsa Amazonia, Casa do POEMA Universidade Federal do Pará, CEP 66075-900, Belém, Pará Brazil, Tel. +55 91 211 1686/91 259 3423, Email: secgeral@bolsaamazonia.com
Related records above this one:
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (Organisation O0088)