Formalizing Forest Access and Implementing Sustainable Brazil Nut Management in Madre de Dios, Peru
Case Study C0142
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| Date | June 2005 |
| Agency | Amazon Conservation Association |
| Donor/support agency | Asociación para la Conservación de la Cuenca Amazónica (ACCA) Government of Peru (INRENA) Brazil Nut Producers’ Associations CESVI WWF ProNaturaleza Conservation International Others |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Peru |
| Locality | Madre de Dios |
| Biodiversity focus | Brazil nuts |
| Development focus | Brazil nut harvesters |
| Conservation goals | Conserve and maintain the productivity of approximately 1 million hectares of Brazil nut stands |
| Poverty reduction goals | Imrpove livelihoods' sustainability for Brazil nut harvesters |
Summary
Brazil nuts are an important renewable resource in the Amazon basin. Nuts are harvested from natural stands, not plantations, because the trees depend intimately on a complex web of pollinators, seed dispersers, and abiotic conditions. As a consequence, in many parts of the Amazon, Brazil nut harvesting depends upon agreements among neighbours and households. This is particularly true in southeastern Peru, where most Brazil nut harvesters are small-scale producers, with stands that are seldom larger than 1,000 hectares. Brazil nut production is therefore a significant model that closely links the economic, ecological and social components of sustainable development.
Amazon Conservation Association's (ACA) Brazil nut Program seeks to conserve and maintain the productivity of approximately 1 million hectares of Brazil nut stands in the southwestern Amazon by establishing formal, long-term contracts between approximately 1,000 Brazil nut producers and the Peruvian Government, whereby nuts are harvested from mapped areas, according to management plans that incorporate the highest standards of sustainable forest management.
As a result of this project, Brazil nut harvesting in southeastern Peru is now more compatible with biodiversity conservation, local producers have extended their opportunities to benefit financially from the activity, and potentially adverse social impacts have been avoided by resolving tenure overlaps and securing government recognition of the rights of traditional Brazil nut harvesters. The Project has also put ASCART - a small but influential local Brazil nut producers' association - on the path to long-term sustainability, with management and leadership training, business development support, and a key role in the decision-making processes surrounding all of the achievements noted above.
Conservation impact
The project has resulted in over 224,000 hectares of primary tropical forest being legally designated for sustainable production. Of these, 27,000 hectares have the additional distinction of certification under the Forest Stewardship Council system, in recognition of producers’ adherence to the strictest international standards for forest management.
Poverty reduction impact
This Project has assisted over 130 pioneering Brazil nut producers in the formal establishment of Brazil nut concessions and the development of management plans.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Sustainable Use
More information
Cristian Vallejos, Amazon Conservation Association
Phone: +1 (202) 234-2356
Related records above this one:
- WWF International (Organisation O0115)
- Conservation International (CI) (Organisation O0112)