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Forest Dependency in Amazon Communities: A Comparative Study in Brazil & Bolivia

This study compares the role of forest-based income in livelihood systems of extractive communities in Acre, Brazil, and Pando, Bolivia. It evaluates the income contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and explores policy and market-based tools for increasing income from NTFPs in the context of the Brazilian and Bolivian Amazon. The research highlights the relative importance of main NTFPs, household income sources, seasonal collection of forest products, and the benefits of organic and fair-trade certification for Brazil nuts. Government subsidies and certification schemes are discussed as strategies to bolster forest-based income in the two regions. The study concludes with insights on the high levels of forest dependency in Acre, Brazil, and Pando, Bolivia, emphasizing the significance of NTFPs in generating income for local communities.

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Forest Dependency in Amazon Communities: A Comparative Study in Brazil & Bolivia

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  1. Forest Dependency in the Brazilian and Bolivian Amazon Amy Duchelle1,2 and Karen Kainer1, 3 1School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, USA 2Universidade Federal do Acre, Brazil 3Center for Latin American Studies, University of Florida, USA World Forestry Congress, PEN Side Event, October 19, 2009

  2. Objectives • Compare the role of forest-based income in livelihood systems of extractive communities in Acre, Brazil and Pando, Bolivia • Evaluate income contribution of principal non-timber forest products (NTFPs) • Explore policy and market-based tools for increasing income from NTFPs

  3. Context – Acre, Brazil and Pando, Bolivia • Humid, moist tropical forest (heavily forested ~90%) • Dry season (May-Sept); Annual precipitation: ~2100 mm • Acre:10,000km2; Pando:15,000km2 • Communities (n=12); HH range: • Acre: 16 to 28 (avg.= 24) • Pando: 14 to 80 (avg.= 31) • Households (n=189) • Avg. hhd size 5.4 Acre; 6.0 Pando • Variability: • Access (road vs. river) and distance to markets • Protected area status • Origin of settlers

  4. Household income sources Brazil Bolivia

  5. Relative importance of main NTFPs

  6. Household income sources Brazil Bolivia High relative forest income in all wealth classes – everyone is out there!

  7. Income sources and seasonality Brazil Bolivia Seasonal collection of forest products. Q3 - Brazil nut harvest; Q4 – rubber harvest Q3 and Q4 represent Brazil nut harvest

  8. Policy and market-based tools for NTFPs Government subsidies - Brazil • 1999: Chico Mendes Law in Acre – rubber price supports (150% price increase by 2002, Kainer et al. 2003) • 2006: Rubber factory in Xapuri, Acre for “green” condoms (+90-215% price increase from 2002 price) • 2009: Brazilian National Plan for NTFP minimum prices

  9. Policy and market-based tools for NTFPs Certification of Brazil nuts • Organic • - product quality through • “best management practices” • 2) Fair Trade • - affiliation with cooperatives • 3) Forest Management • - environmental, economic • and social standards

  10. Benefits of Organic + Fair Trade Brazil nut Certification Income Benefits (2007): Certified producers in Pando 2.5 times less likely to have Brazil nut debt (p=0.037) and in Acre 1.2 times less likely (p=0.034) Also, significant associations between harvest and post-harvest practices and certification.

  11. Conclusions • Extremely high levels of forest dependency in Acre, Brazil and Pando, Bolivia • NTFPs comprise a large portion of forest income, especially Brazil nuts in Pando • Government subsidies for NTFPs and certification schemes through affiliation with cooperatives can bolster forest-based income (Brazil vs. Bolivia)

  12. Acknowledgements • Field assistance Gladys Guanacoma (Universidad Amazonica del Pando) Marcianed’Araujo and Jucelida Souza (EscoladaFloresta, Acre) Peter Groenendjik (University of Utrecht), and others… • Regional partners Embrapa-Acre, Herencia-Pando, ACCA-Madre de Dios, MAP Initiative • Funding sources • Brazil nut producers in the MAP region Contact: Amy Duchelle duchelle@ufl.edu

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