Bioeconomy value chains based on the production of smallholder family farmers and extractive producers generate income for forest communities while helping to keep forests standing, linking socioeconomic development with environmental sustainability. However, these activities face a number of challenges in the region, including inadequate logistics, which hinder both access to inputs and the commercialization of production; low prices offered by middlemen; limited access to credit; and a shortage of rural technical assistance and extension services (RTAE).

In this context, cooperativism plays a key role by organizing production, facilitating market access, and providing technical support to producers. In doing so, it strengthens the resilience of value chains, increases value generation, and promotes the sustainable use of forest resources.

Cooperacre currently operates well-established Brazil nut and natural rubber value chains, which already benefit from consolidated logistics infrastructure.

The project aims to strengthen the productive and logistical capacity of the fruit pulp and coffee value chains through the provision of equipment, rural technical assistance services, and the establishment of collection and storage facilities to ensure the proper handling and preservation of production within participating primary cooperatives, until it is transferred to the processing units of the central cooperative.

THE PROJECT