Cooperative combines recovery of the Amazon rainforest with the cultivation of native fruits in northern Brazil

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After creating the project, families from Rondônia, Acre and Amazonas began to generate income in a sustainable way, with plantations of andiroba, cupuaçu, açaí and more. Cooperative combines recovery of the Amazon forest with the cultivation of native fruits in the North A cooperative is combining the recovery of the Amazon forest with the cultivation of native fruits in the North of the country. The group’s history began in the 1980s, when the Federal Government began donating land in the region to stimulate agricultural production in forest areas. The promise of a better life attracted a large number of families from the South and Southeast to the Amazon region. The producers were dedicated to livestock and traditional agriculture, but today the path is the opposite. They teamed up to recover the Amazon Rainforest and earn money from native fruits. Dona Ildete Berkenbrock and her husband are some of those involved in the initiative. In 1986, the couple from Santa Catarina moved to the region with the aim of growing rice, corn and beans. Despite their willpower, the plantation was not profitable and the two began to survive by extracting latex. The phenomenon reflected the lack of opportunity for many rubber tappers who, without other skills, moved to the outskirts of large urban centers. Those who stayed had to adapt. Farmers add value to products taken from agroforestry in Rondônia Reca Project It was against this scenario that, in 1989, farmers in the region came together to create the Consortium and Density Economic Reforestation (RECA) project. The initiative helped to train members and provided space for agroforestry – a planting system that is sustainable and restores plants and soil. According to Hamilton, president of the cooperative, the intention of the project is to generate income for the producer through the recovery of nature. Like other members, he saw firsthand the destruction of forest areas by livestock. Experts point out that heavily compacted cattle trampling prevents the soil from absorbing water. It is with the planting of native trees and organic matter that the impact on the soil is reduced. Most farmers in Rondônia use at least three species to form an agroforestry system. But the more variety, the better. On Hamilton’s property, recovery was carried out by planting andiroba, almonds, cupuaçu, chestnuts and açaí. Whenever harvested, the Amazonian fruits are taken to the headquarters of the RECA cooperative, where the agroindustry operates. Fruit processing 🫐 While the pulp of healthy fruits is extracted to be processed, products that are broken or contain pests are used for composting. Next, the products are packaged and taken to cold rooms, where they are ready for sale. Currently, the cooperative has around 300 member families in Rondônia, Acre and Amazonas. They are small farmers, who, together, buy inputs and sell crops. The majority do not use pesticides, with 40% of producers having organic certification. They work with at least 10 different fruits and grow more than 2 thousand tons per year. In addition to frozen pulp, members guarantee income with the production of sweets, jellies and liqueurs. Check out the full report in the VIDEO ABOVE. See the most watched videos from Globo Rural Where it comes from – Listen to other episodes:

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