Cadeia produtiva de Açaí: extrativismo e os desafios para sustentabilidade no Médio Solimões

Abstract

Açaí is a fruit from the açaí tree, which is a plant native to the Amazon, it plays an important role both as a food and economic resource for the local population, it is considered one of the most important products of national extractivism and one of the main responsible for giving visibility to the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. The study highlights the socioeconomic importance of açaí (Euterpe precatoria) and identifies the difficulties faced by participants in the açaí production chain in the Middle Solimões region, specifically in the municipalities of Coari, Alvarães, Anori, Codajás and Tefé. In order to characterize this productive chain, face-to-face interviews were carried out with the application of a semi-structured questionnaire, containing open and closed questions addressed to the participants of the referred productive chain in the five municipalities already mentioned. In view of the results, it is possible to state that this activity is carried out predominantly by traditional populations, riverside communities and family farmers, who practically use this activity as one of their main sources of income. In short, the açaí production chain in Amazonas faces significant challenges, a critical and proactive approach is necessary to deal with these challenges, it is fundamental to guarantee sustainable practices of cultivation and extraction of açaí, in order to preserve the biodiversity of the Amazon forest and avoid environmental damage. In addition, investments in scientific research can contribute to the improvement of the production chain, allowing the development of more efficient and sustainable techniques.