Estratégias de uso de recursos naturais dos moradores da Reserva Extrativista do Médio Juruá: farinha e extrativismo

Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFP) were highlighted in the last decades as strategy for income production and biodiversity conservation in tropical forest. However, critics and limitations were pointed out in recent years. This article “Strategies of natural resource use of families in a Protected Area in Brazilian Amazon: cassava flour and non-timber forest products” seeks to understand the motivations for adoption of different strategies of use of natural resources for monetary income production of the families living in a protected area of category VI of UICN, in Brazilian Amazon rainforest, between 2005 and 2006. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected. During the two last decades, the cassava flour (Manihot esculenta Crantz) became the main source of income for families living in Extractive Reserve of Medio Jurua (REMJ) and the specialization in its production became the main strategy for income generation. The majority of its production was commercialized, being easily sold in local market, and was influenced by the number of workers in the family and by the access to credit. In 2005 about 0.13% the 250,000 hectares of the REMJ was deforested for the agricultural production, but it seems proper areas for planting in larger communities are reducing. NTFP were responsible, on average, for only 13% of the income of the families. Seeds of murumuru (Astrocarium murumuru Martius) and of andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aublet) were collected by 60% of the families. Only a minimal part is specialized in these products. Production was determined by capacity to reach the natural resource, and the reduced availability of seeds limits income production. It seems A. murumuru had not a sustainable harvest. The rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) was produced by few families and rewarded lower income. Production was influenced by the age of the family’s father. The commercialized NTFP were rarely planted, were not supported by the official credit, and had reduced access to market, limiting the opportunity of the families to use them as income source.