“We already plant and raise crops, but we need to structure these activities, that’s why we’re here.” With this type of demand, thirty-five women from the communities along the Jaurucu River gathered for the 1st MUDA Jauru Meeting, seeking a space to exchange experiences and explore productive activities beyond açaí harvesting.
COOPJAURU has been investing in the management of native açaí palm groves to increase their productivity, but while awaiting the next harvests, it wishes to explore other income-generating opportunities. In particular, the women members of the cooperative have clearly expressed their interest in exploring small animal husbandry, vegetable gardens, cooking, and handicrafts, and have indicated a need for technical support to develop these ventures.
For two days, the women recognized the productive activities they already carry out in their daily lives and reflected on the conditions necessary to develop them, the difficulties they face, and how to join efforts to improve production, reduce costs, and expand marketing.
On the second day, technicians and representatives from the Municipality of Porto de Moz, the Amazon Species Management Institute, and the CDS – Porto de Moz (Sustainable Development Committee) facilitated discussions on agroforestry systems, animal husbandry, composting, and how to request authorization from ICMBio to establish new productive areas.
Fourteen men were present, contributing to the organization, food preparation, and day-specific activities. The children accompanied their families and also left their mark, participating in special activities.
A small fair brought the meeting to a close: food, products, and items made by the participants, making visible and recognized the diversity of production present in the communities.
MUDA Jauru responded to the cooperative members' request for support for other productive activities. In addition to facilitating this meeting, Interelos now supports the structuring of these activities, identifying which ones can be scaled up, and connecting the women to markets and public marketing policies. The WhatsApp group that will be created is the first channel to continue the conversations and future meetings.
Interelos has been working in the Verde para Sempre Extractive Reserve since 2021, supporting the development of economic alternatives that respect the territory, generate income, and create empowerment. Based on a study of the region's potential, it helped structure COOPJAURU, which manages and extracts native açaí. This stage of the project and the MUDA Jauru meeting are carried out in partnership with SEBRAE Nacional.
