Project selected in the Public Call "Consolidation and Strengthening of Sustainable and Inclusive Value Chains (01/2017)"

CONTEXTUALIZATION

Established in 1992, Alternatives for Small-Scale Agriculture in Tocantins (APA-TO) is a non-profit association headquartered in Augustinópolis, Tocantins. It was created in response to the demand for technical assistance that considers local agrobiodiversity and promotes agroecological production systems. While APA-TO operates statewide, it has maintained continuous activities in the Bico do Papagaio region, encompassing 12 municipalities, since its inception.

APA-TO's work is structured around five programmatic areas: institutional development; public policies; agroecological practices; management and commercialization; and rural women and youth. Its mission is to consolidate agrarian reform and strengthen family agriculture in collaboration with social and labor movements, aiming to empower organizations within society. APA-TO works closely with traditional peoples and communities, settlers, and other family farmers throughout Tocantins.

This project is part of the Amazon Fund's Public Call for Projects No. 01/2017, which sought to select proposals for non-reimbursable financial support to promote sustainable and inclusive value chains. The initiative follows an aggregator model, where the proposing institution coordinates an integrated arrangement of subprojects from other organizations.

THE PROJECT

The project will directly benefit 614 families, which corresponds to approximately 1,908 people from about 11 communities. In addition, other communities not directly involved in the implementation of the project may be indirectly benefited by the increased economic dynamics in the region, which will be enhanced by the project.

APA-TO serves as the aggregator for three institutions: Regional Association of Rural Women Workers of Bico do Papagaio (ASMUBIP); Interstate Cooperative of Babaçu Coconut Breaker Women (CIMQCB) and Cooperative for Production and Commercialization of Agroextractivist Family Farmers and Artisanal Fishers of Esperantina Ltd. (COOAF-BICO).

Below is a summary table of the project:

Products and Services

The entities involved in the babaçu coconut value chain and other sustainable initiatives will be strengthened, aiming to improve working and production conditions, as well as enhance the institutional capacity of the organizations involved. These efforts are divided into the following components:

Components 1 to 3 – Community Entities:
(i) Expansion of the central processing facility for mesocarp flour;
(ii) Construction of mesocarp flake extraction houses;
(iii) Installation of necessary equipment for the operation of the processing center and mesocarp extraction houses;
(iv) Construction/renovation of babaçu oil processing units;
(v) Construction/renovation of artisan workshop sheds;
(vi) Construction of a commercial support shed;
(vii) Renovation of the fruit pulp processing center;
(vii) Implementation of Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) in babaçu forest areas;
(viii) Installation of photovoltaic energy production systems.

Component 4 – Cross-cutting:
(i) Improvements in production hubs;
(ii) Participation in fairs and other initiatives focused on product commercialization;
(iii) Meetings for production and commercialization planning and monitoring;
(iv) Preparation of business plans for value chains and products, including market studies and marketing plans;
(v) Acquisition of a vehicle, including support for licensing, insurance, maintenance, and fuel expenses.

Component 5 – Management:
(i) Development of the monitoring, evaluation, and project systematization plan;
(ii) Creation of an administrative-financial management manual;
(iii) Impact monitoring; project administrative and financial management (including accounting and auditing).

Expected Results

• Consolidation and strengthening of the babaçu value chain through the improvement of production processes and the expansion/diversification of marketing strategies;

• Strengthening of the institutions involved in project implementation through capacity-building;

• Increased income and improved quality of life for producers;

• Promotion of the expansion of sustainable production models related to the babaçu and fruit chains, reducing incentives for deforestation, contributing to the preservation of the forest.

INTERVENTION LOGIC

The project is part of the Sustainable Production component of the Amazon Fund's Logical Framework, contributing to the following direct effects: (1.2) - Value-added agroforestry and biodiversity product chains; (1.3) - Enhanced managerial and technical capacities for implementing economic activities for sustainable use of forests and biodiversity; (1.4) - Recovered and economically and ecologically conserved deforested and degraded areas.