Social Bioeconomy: Applying resources from the buriti palm tree

Social Bioeconomy: Applying resources from the buriti palm tree

Author Zilmar Timoteo Soares
Co-Author Jeam Nunes Moreira, Diego Carvalho Viana
DOI https://ww

Country : Brazil
Subject : Animal Science

Keywords : Social and economic inclusion; Entrepreneurship; Cooperativism

Abstract

The sustainable socio-economic development of the buriti palm tree comprises, therefore, an environmental education project aimed at mitigating various indicators of poverty in Maranhão, using the natural resources of Mauritia flexuosa while enhancing benefits for the population at all stages of the process, from its conception. In this context, the research aims to utilize the natural resources from the buriti palm, applying collectivity in the construction of social, economic, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies values. To achieve this goal, the methodology was divided into five stages: Diagnosis (analysis of the social and economic aspects of communities living around buriti palm groves and a survey on knowledge and use of buriti); Action (workshops to teach sustainable harvesting techniques for palm leaves and fruit, collection of buriti palm materials to transform into production inputs, production of different materials using buriti palm inputs, encouragement of entrepreneurship and product commercialization, and the importance of cooperativism); Results (based on socio-economic and environmental aspects); Evaluation (response of communities to the activities developed); Reflection. Twenty families with an average per capita income of R$ 600.00 directly participated in the project, and after the project, they achieved an average income of R$ 1,400.00. To incorporate these results, various handicrafts were produced using buriti palm straw, stem, and fruit, which were traded in the local market and crafts fair. Satisfaction with participating in the activities had an excellent response of 73%, a great 15%, and a good 12%. For the creation of a cooperative, there was an approval rate of 95% among community members. Thus, the research project emphasized innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, cooperativism, natural resources, and sustainability. These collective challenges made a difference in generating value, inclusion, and human advancement.

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