Fatores de risco relacionado ao processo de colheita do açaí (Euterpe spp) no médio Solimões - Amazonas

Abstract

The consumption of açaí pulp has grown a lot in recent years and consequently there has been an expansion in the commercialization of this product in Brazil and also in the foreign market. This increase in consumption was due to its high nutritional value, which has energetic, nutritional properties and health benefits. With this expansion of consumption, commercialization has also become an important point in conjunction with the extraction and management process, making this practice a significant source of income for many rural producer communities in the Amazon, with subsistence income for people who reap the fruits. The research aims to identify the risk factors related to the açaí (Euterpe spp) harvesting process in the middle of Solimões. The research was carried out in three municipalities in Amazonas: Coari, Codajás and Tefé. The work was carried out through Field Research and data collection using the Extensive Direct Observation research technique through questionnaires. The data obtained in the three municipalities were from 66 people interviewed. As for the risk factors at the beginning of this production chain, it is possible to list dangers that were found in the literature, despite being incipient if we compare research on the same fruit and its applications. Based on the data obtained, açaí harvesting is a predominantly traditional activity and despite great advances in technology in the primary sector, it still proves to be quite risky. Therefore, to improve this important activity in the production chain, it is necessary to invest in collection training with PPE, encourage the use of materials, and also guarantee investments in harvest mechanization that can avoid escalations.