ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED
In relation to sustainable production, Apiwtxa prioritized the activities necessary for the consolidation and expansion of agroforestry production, focusing on actions that would increase its economic attractiveness.
A plant nursery and a seed bank were built in the Yorenka Ãtame Center (CYÃ)¹, the former to house the production of 70,756 seedlings of various species and the latter for the production of seedlings of native fruit trees used in agroforestry systems.
This activity was complemented by the preparation of the management plan, which made it possible to identify species with seed production potential within TI Kampa of the Amônia River. Based on this plan, three seed collection locations were demarcated in a total area of 550 hectares, 14 species having been selected for management.
It is important to note that the creation of a seed bank demanded the construction of an air-conditioned room with equipment to receive, dry, clean and safely store the seeds until the planting season. The production of seeds and their respective commercialization are regulated activities, which made it necessary to submit the management plan to Ibama and obtain a certificate of registration of the Ayõpare Cooperative in the National Registry of Seeds and Seedlings (Renasem), linked to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply.
Additionally, a cold storage unit to store fruit pulp was built in CYÃ, as well as small local fruit storage structures, and a refrigerated barge was purchased to transport the fruit from the communities to the industry. These structures were equipped with solar panels, and seven members of the Apiwtxa community were trained to perform maintenance services. These items were intended to complement the installation of the fruit pulp industry, conducted with resources from another project.
Regarding training in agroecology and good management practices for the implementation of SAFs, three programs were carried out, involving a total of 154 participants from Tis Kampa of the Amônia River and Kashinawá-Ashaninka of the Breu River, as well as the Alto Juruá Resex.
The programs were carried out between 2015 and 2017 at CYÃ’s headquarters and in specific workshops in communities of the Resex, ensuring greater engagement of the multipliers and beneficiaries. They covered agroecological practices such as sowing, building nurseries, collecting seeds counting and monitoring seedlings, as well as technical support for implementing SAFs, techniques for recovering degraded areas, new soil management methods, and alternative practices to burning.
Additionally, 57 individuals were trained in good management practices for commercialization, focusing on establishing the productive potential of the species and good harvesting, storage and transportation practices.
In relation to the support for territorial and environmental management in the indigenous and traditional communities of Alto Juruá, priority was given to training, management and territorial surveillance and an exchange of experiences, in addition to activities related to cross-border dynamics in regions occupied by the Ashaninka people. To support territorial protection actions, three monitoring bases were built in strategic locations of TI Kampa of the Amônia River, all equipped with radio stations for communication between surveillance teams and various government bodies such as Funai, the Federal Police and the Army. These bases also supported and accommodated 18 surveillance expeditions carried out throughout the project.
In order to raise other actors’ awareness, an updated training program for nonindigenous environmental monitors was held at the Alto Juruá Resex, with the participation of 42 individuals, addressing the legislation applicable to extractive reserves, their use plan, and the public agencies’ delegations in their management.
Five meetings between Ashaninka communities on both sides of the Brazil-Peru border for monitoring and control took place under the coordination of Apiwtxa, including two editions of the Transboundary Seminar on the Territorial and Environmental Management Process. As a result of this initiative, it was agreed to draw up a joint work plan and it was discussed the possibility of signing a cooperation agreement to strengthen community organizations and manage indigenous territories.
An additional set of activities aimed at institutional strengthening and the training of employees at Apiwtxa, at the Association of Rubber Tappers and Farmers of the Alto Juruá Extractive Reserve (Asareaj), and of representatives of the Kashinawa-Ashaninka peoples of the Breu River. The activities included investments in infrastructure that allowed opening a new headquarters for Asareaj and the headquarters used jointly by Apiwtxa and the Ayõpare cooperative, which is the unit responsible for the storage and sale of fruit pulp managed by the Ashaninka people of the Amônia River.
As for institutional actions, the strategic and action plans of the two Associations were carried out, with the participation of representatives of TI Kashinawa-Ashaninka of the Breu River, which proved to be important in the organization and good execution of the project’s other activities. A total of 135 producers of the Resex were trained in the management and governance of community organizations, including the legal aspects of the creation and operation of an association (bylaws, minutes, meetings, functions of the board of directors and the fiscal council); the differences between an association and a cooperative; community leadership, organization and unity; preservation of cultural identity; and fundraising strategies.
Finally, institutional communication actions were performed with the assistance of specialized external consultants, including an audiovisual course with the participation of an Ashaninka filmmaker and the resumption of posting and content creation on the blog and Facebook page². In order to internalize technical skills at Apiwtxa, a training course in communication was held, and the branding and brand management action was prioritized, contributing to the expression of the identity and value of the products and services developed by the Ashaninka community.
¹ The Yorenka Ãtame – Saberes da Floresta Center (CYÃ) is a space located near the head office of the municipality of Marechal Thaumaturgo. Created in 2007, CYÃ integrates the assets of Apiwtxa, containing a community technology center with internet access and facilities equipped to receive and accommodate about 200 people. It carries out various activities aimed at registering and disseminating practices for the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as training based on the experiences of the Ashaninka and other traditional populations.