Project selected in the first Amazon Fund’s direct public call-to-submission of sustainable production projects.

CONTEXTUALIZATION

Calha Norte in the state of Pará measures 28 million hectares and covers 23% of the state. It is located north of the Amazon River and covers nine (9) municipalities: Alenquer, Almeirim, Curuá, Faro, Monte Alegre, Óbidos, Oriximiná, Prainha and Terra Santa. The region has the world’s largest number of protected areas (Conservation Units, Indigenous Land and Former Slave Land [Quilombolas]) containing tropical forests –approximately 22 million hectares. Together with the protected areas in the states of Amapá and Amazonas, the Calha Norte in the state of Pará is part of the world’s largest corridor of biodiversity (http://www.imazon.org.br/publicacoes/calha-norte).

The main economic activities carried out by the quilombola communities, namely the Oriximiná, involve extraction (especially Brazil nuts) and farming. Nevertheless, the quilombolas face several difficulties when it comes to commercializing Brazil nuts on the own, relying on wholesalers and other middle-men, which drastically reduces the profit from sales. To change this situation, Imaflora has made efforts to develop the commercialization segment together with these populations and this project seeks to strengthen such efforts throughout the region.

Together with those living in the Paraíso Sustainable Development settlement (PDS), Imaflora began efforts aimed at institutionally strengthening the local association, as well as activities focusing on raising awareness and training these people in sustainable agricultural practices. This project is aimed at continuing such efforts.

THE PROJECT

The project was structured using support from subprojects being run by associations (so-called agglomerated projects). Highlights include the following efforts: (i) building, structuring and implementing four (4) food enhancement units in former slave communities (quilombolas) in the municipality of Oriximiná to support institutional markets; (ii) building and structuring one (1) nursery to produce saplings, aimed at implementing Agro-forestry Systems and reforestation in Paraíso PDS, in the municipality of Alenquer; and (iii) building and structuring one (1) wood-work shop to foster forest management for multiple use and to generate income in quilombo communities in the municipality of Oriximiná.

Implementing this project will directly benefit 1,500 people in the municipality of Oriximiná/PA and a further 100 people in the Paraíso PDS settlement, located in the municipality of Alenquer/PA. Indirectly, the nine (9) municipalities that make up the Calha Norte will all benefit from the enhanced local economy and the offer of new sustainable production activities.

INTERVENTION LOGIC

The project is part of the "Sustainable Production" (1) component of the Amazon Fund’s Logical Framework. 

Click on the following image to view its objectives tree, that is, how the project's outputs and linked to the expected outcomes and impact.

ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED

The four food processing units (UBA), built and equipped by the project, started operating in 2019. 

Contracts for supplying products from the baked goods chain to school meals in the municipality of Oriximiná were signed.  In addition to the processing and marketing of baked products, adjustments and preparations were also made for operating the fruit pulp chain that will start in 2020. 

Within the “Viveiro” subproject, we defined the area that will house the nursery and starting reviewing the executive project to adjust to current needs and the defined location. 

Another outstanding result is the third year of delivering the quilombola’s production to school meals via the National School Feeding Program (Pnae), totaling more than 66 tons of food and more than R$ 476,000.00 in revenue generated from these products. The UBAs will allow diversification and added value to the community’s products, strengthening the participation of quilombolas in the institutional market with activities that combine income generation and conservation of natural resources. 

It is also worth noting that the project has already contributed with more than R$ 1,300,000.00 in generated income by selling sociobiodiversity products.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS OF IMAFLORA IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROJECT