ABC of biotrade and agroecology, the perspective of those who make the Ucayali BioTrade Strategy possible

From
CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology
Published on
27.11.24
Impact Area
Environmental health & biodiversity

Ucayali, Peru, is one of the Agroecological Living Landscapes of the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative. There, in June of this year, the Regional Government approved a strategic plan to promote BioTrade with an agroecological approach.

This milestone is the result of work in which, over eight months, the regional government collaborated with more than 50 stakeholders from diverse institutions and sectors, including the Agroecology Initiative and its partner, the NGO Terra Nuova. Their joint efforts resulted in the co-creation of the first Regional Strategy for the Promotion of BioTrade with an agroecological approach, along with its corresponding Action Plan for 2028. The strategy and action plan focus on agroecological and circular economy practices, prioritizing five value chains – camu camu [Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.)], aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.), charapita chili (Capsicum frutescens L.), cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) and paiche (Arapaima gigas) – with high potential for specialized international markets.

The strategy aims to enhance the supply conditions for biodiversity products. The action plan focuses on increasing awareness of native Amazonian products, strengthening farmers’ organizations and institutions, and providing support to local businesses.

Today we would like to invite you to see the ABC of Biotrade and Agroecology. Three videos that allow you to get to know the faces, voices and long-term commitment of those who articulate in concrete actions what was co-developed in the document with a systemic approach such as agroecology.

María Claudia Tristán, coordinator for Peru of the Agroecology Initiative, reminds us of the importance of agroecology to address the multiple socio-environmental challenges faced by a territory as diverse as the Amazon, where communities can take advantage of biotrade as a mechanism for conservation and sustainable use of the resources and services offered by biodiversity. Being a systemic approach, agroecology also pays attention to the market, business, institutional arrangements, financing and the enabling policy framework.

How was the regional strategy for the promotion of biotrade with an agroecological approach consolidated? Why is it important for Ucayali to have this biotrade strategy with an agroecological approach and who is involved?

Key questions addressed by the stakeholders themselves, such as the regional government of Ucayali, which recognizes the importance of having an approach such as agroecology integrated into biotrade to sustainably diversify the supply of products and services – offered by agrobiodiversity – towards different markets.

Terra Nuova’s work facilitating the prioritization and visibility of product chains that are of high value due to their local consumption, so that by providing them with added value they become sources of benefits for the communities that grow them.

The living example of the support provided by the NGO Agrosalud to camu camu producing families, in order to facilitate the marketing of the fruit either as raw material or as a processed product.

What kind of entrepreneurs does the region want to promote? More than a question, Terra Nuova is calling for reflection on the path taken, being aware that the Amazon is a territory where it is possible to do sustainable, formal and scalable business at the level of a niche market to protect the forest and its ecosystem. Replicating and sustaining this experience requires government support, teamwork, empathetic accompaniment and time.