Exchange of experiences among producers of Amazonian fruits in the southwest region of the Amazon
A blog entry by Galia Selaya
ECOSCONSULT
Fulbright Amazonia Scholar
The Amazon is home to a high diversity of species that contribute to the subsistence and economy of local families. This is especially true in the southwestern Amazon, located on the border between Madre de Dios (Peru), Acre (Brazil), and Pando (Bolivia). This region still maintains over ninety percent forest cover, largely due to the presence of wild fruits that are in high demand in the market. Additionally, the region is abundant in fishing resources. The demand for products like Amazonian nuts, blue berries, and others has inspired local families to form productive associations, either independently or through various projects. These associations serve as a collective strategy to enhance production, marketing, and profit opportunities for the involved families. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct an introspective analysis of the associations’ objectives, operations, and future expectations. This analysis will enable them to strengthen their position in the market.
On November 21 and 22, 2024, the first meeting of productive associations “Exchange of Associative Experiences of Madre de Dios (Peru), Acre (Brazil), Pando (Bolivia)” was held at the Caritas facilities in Cobija, Pando department. The event was organized by ECOSCONSULT and supported by the Socioeconomic Transformations in the Southwestern Amazon Project-PRODIGY Biotip in coordination with associations from the trinational region. The objective of the event was to create a space for peers to exchange experiences on the formation, development, and consolidation process of productive associations, as well as to discuss opportunities, challenges, current threats, and future visions for associations in the region.
Representatives from seven associations in Pando, one association in Acre, and one association in Madre de Dios participated. The representatives of the associations highlighted one of their strengths: the presence of a diverse market for wild fruits. This market includes traditional products like Amazonian nuts and rubber, as well as palm fruits, blueberries, buriti, and products from agroforestry systems such as coffee and cocoa. For Amazonian fruits, the main market opportunity remains international, with a focus on organic certification and fair pricing niches. The groups also discussed their success in creating shampoo from Amazonian nuts and blueberries, a project primarily led by women of the association ASIAMUSA in Pando. Noteworthy, transformation facilities in the hands of associations are currently concentrated for blueberry. However, for Amazonian nuts, the associations rely on external processing facilities. While the absence of processing facilities may be viewed as a weakness, it is recognized that processing Amazonian nuts is a complex and expensive process. Similarly, the difficulties of fish processing were also addressed.
One of the challenges that affects most associations is achieving greater loyalty and permanence of their members. This is attributed to several factors, including competition with other buyers both locally and internationally, as well as bottlenecks such as the associations’ limited access to working capital. Another factor is the marketing and administrative capabilities as the association grows. These challenges are being addressed through various methods, such as providing support for associated families, generational change, and involving the children of affiliates in workspaces within the association, as seen in the case of the Peruvian association. The growth of organizations implies challenges in administration, transparency, and control. In the case of Acre, this issue has been resolved through the formation of the a cooperative, which has brought together extractive associations, cooperatives, and farmers in Acre. Representatives of the associations also identified threats, such as deforestation, forest fires, and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, which are endangering the future of the Amazon forests. These threats are not confined to one country but cross borders. Another threat identified is the establishment of new communities and encroachment on lands in the three countries.
Productive associations in the Madre de Dios, Acre, and Pando regions are facing the triple challenge of generating economic benefits, preserving the health of the forest, and achieving sustainability and self-management over time in an uncertain climate context. There is leadership and determination among the representatives of the associations to contribute to the preservation of the Amazon. As a result of the workshop, a trinational committee was formed to unite forces for the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the associations. Reflecting on the strengths, opportunities, challenges, bottlenecks, and threats to the consolidation of the associations provides valuable input for public-private cooperation institutions to allocate their resources more effectively and efficiently towards the sustainability of productive associations and the protection of the forest and its environmental services in the southwestern Amazon.