AGROEXTRACTIVISM AND COMMUNITY PROCESSING OF THE JUÇARA PALM TREE
The OTSS Social Technology Incubator has been working with traditional Caiçara, Quilombola and indigenous communities in the Bocaina region since 2016, supporting actions related to the sustainable management of the juçara palm, an endangered species from the Atlantic Forest. These initiatives are aimed at supporting the community in managing and organizing its production, harvesting, processing, use and marketing of juçara palm products ( Euterpes eduliis ), in addition to maintaining the sociobiodiversity of the territories.
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PROBLEM SOLVED
The juçara palm (Euterpes eduliis) is considered an endangered species due to systematic felling for the extraction of hearts of palm and other products, such as rafters and slats for construction. The communities traditionally use the palm tree and, as a means of maintaining and promoting the reproduction of the species in their territories, they have gradually reduced the extraction of hearts of palm from this species and replaced its uses with other products from the palm tree in order to not only slow the process of threat to the species, but also to manage the agroecosystems in a way that enhances its reproduction. The planting of other species in agroforestry systems that do not require the total suppression of individuals to obtain hearts of palm and the management of the juçara palm for the purpose of using other products of the species, especially the fruits, were the alternatives constructed by the traditional communities as a means of preserving their food cultures and providing for the conservation, maintenance and reproduction of sociobiology in the territories.
SOLUTION ADOPTED
The sustainable management of the juçara palm for the production of food pulp is a practice that has been developed by traditional communities and family farmers in the Atlantic Forest, demonstrating the possibilities of access to non-timber forest products and environmental conservation with social protagonism.
The OTSS offers support for actions related to the harvesting, processing and marketing of products from the fruits of the juçara palm. The incentive to manage the juçara palm for the production of food pulp is an activity that continues the management actions of the juçara palm, already existing in the communities, aiming at the production of food pulp, which dialogues with the other actions to promote agroecology.
With the production of pulp from the fruits of the palm, a large number of viable seeds are also generated for the repopulation of the species in the most diverse environments, whether in the territories of traditional communities and properties of family farmers, or in the areas of the Conservation Units committed to the conservation of the palm. The proposed methodology seeks to train and encourage community participation in all stages of the project, so that they have a complete view of the entire local production system. It supports the execution of training and qualification activities for producers, exchange visits, implementation of participatory action plans, and improvement of infrastructure for the processing, promotion and marketing of products.
RESULT ACHIEVED
The implementation of initiatives aimed at strengthening agroextractivism of the fruits and other products of the juçara palm tree in the Bocaina region resulted in several significant advances. First, there was a significant strengthening of sustainable agroextractivism practices, promoting the appreciation and conscious use of the natural resources available in the region. Local communities began to adopt more efficient and sustainable techniques for extracting the fruits of the juçara palm tree, which contributed to the preservation of this species and the maintenance of ecological balance.
In addition, these initiatives had a direct positive impact on the conservation of the Atlantic Forest biome. Promoting the sustainable use of the juçara palm tree helped protect areas of native forest, preventing deforestation and environmental degradation. The awareness and engagement of communities in conservation practices reinforced the importance of preserving local biodiversity, contributing to the maintenance of essential ecosystem services.
Another significant result was the generation of jobs and income for local communities. The strengthening of agroextractivism of the juçara palm created new economic opportunities, allowing families to obtain a sustainable source of income from the marketing of fruits and other derived products. This not only improved the quality of life of the communities, but also encouraged families to remain in their traditional territories, preventing migration to urban areas in search of better living conditions.
The implementation of these initiatives also promoted the training and empowerment of local communities. Through training and workshops, residents acquired technical knowledge and practical skills for the sustainable management of the juçara palm, strengthening their autonomy and capacity to manage natural resources. This training process was essential to ensure the continuity of sustainable practices and the replication of the knowledge acquired for future generations.
In summary, the results achieved by strengthening agroextractivism of fruits and other products of the juçara palm in the Bocaina territory were largely positive. They have contributed to the conservation of the Atlantic Forest biome, promoted the generation of sustainable employment and income, and strengthened the autonomy and management capacity of local communities. These initiatives demonstrate the importance of combining environmental conservation with socioeconomic development, promoting socioenvironmental justice and the sustainability of traditional territories.