7 Promoting community management of underutilized tropical and subtropical fruit genetic resources in

Josué Francisco da Silva Júnior, Dalva Maria da Mota, Rosa Lia Barbieri and Adriana Alercia

Introduction In 1992, ten centres of fruit species diversity were defined in Brazil, located from the Amazon to the southern region, which house more than 500 native species of major economic importance (Giacometti, 1993) such as (Ananas comosus), cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and passion fruit (Passiflora spp.). Besides these, a large number of native fruit species not only play an important role in the economic well-being but are also essential to the survival of small-scale farmers. In 2003, in order to promote research, conservation and use of fruit species, the Ministry of the Environment in Brazil prioritized native species of current and potential economic value through a project called ‘ for the Future’ involving research institutions, educational and non-governmental organiza- tions. Research covered various scientific disciplines, but did not include in situ conservation or the role of traditional communities in the management of biodiversity in natural habitats. Studies on good practices for managing Brazilian native fruits are scarce and the information available focuses mainly on post-harvest and processing activities. Research efforts on sustainable management of resources, especially in natural habitats, are rare. However, a few of them, such as good manage- ment practices for pequi (C. brasiliense) (Oliveira and Scariot, 2010), mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) (Lima and Scariot, 2010) and other native fruits, have been published by EMBRAPA (the Brazilian Corporation of Agricultural Research) in partnership with the Institute for Society, Population and Nature. Despite the dearth of information generally, one traditional group from the north and northeast of Brazil who continue to manage Brazil’s wild resources has been widely studied: the ‘catadoras de mangaba’ (mangaba pickers; Figure 7.1). Information has been gathered on the resources that they use to survive, how they access and manage them, their habitats, related national Community management of FTGR in Brazil 107

Figure 7.1 Mangaba pickers. Credit: J.F. Silva Júnior. legislation, labour, gender, sociability and exploitation of raw materials (Mota et al., 2011). A less studied but also long-lived and neglected useful species is Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick (butiá or jelly palm), whose genetic diversity and associated knowledge are under severe erosion and only a few natural areas remain. One strategy for sustainable conservation is the adoption of best management practices to ensure the survival of butiá for future generations and the sustainability of the ecosystem, with consideration of environmental, social and economic perspectives (Rivas, 2013). In the following sections we describe successful experiences of good management practices for the in situ conservation of mangaba and butiá, two species of major importance for farming communities.

In situ conservation strategies and good practices for the mangaba tree Mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) occurs naturally in open vegetation areas such as the coastal tablelands, dunes and savannas of Brazil. It is also found in Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia. The trunk of the tree is used for the extraction of latex for medicinal purposes. The fruit is a source of protein and iron. It has a delicious taste and colour and is used in agribusiness for making juices, sweets and ice creams. In 2003, EMBRAPA started work on the conservation, characterization and use of mangaba in the Northeast region of Brazil, noting that the mangaba pickers, who were mainly women, were de facto responsible for conservation of mangaba in the areas identified. These women had accumulated significant knowledge concerning the management, reproduction and post-harvest activities of this fruit (Mota and Silva Júnior, 2003; Silva Júnior et al., 2006). Despite the market demand for mangaba, it is overwhelmingly threatened by 108 da Silva Júnior, da Mota, Barbieri and Alercia destruction of its natural habitats because of the expanding cultivation of sugarcane, coconut, eucalyptus, grassland, corn, cotton and soya beans and real estate development in tourist areas and coastal cities. The mangaba pickers’ livelihoods are further threatened by the increased activity of shrimp farming, which destroys the mangrove ecosystem and drastically reduces mollusc harvesting, another activity carried out by many of the communities concerned. To explore how best to sustainably conserve and use mangaba, a team of social and natural scientists was assembled and a large amount of information was generated about the history, mapping, profile and typology of pickers; threats to natural habitats; access to and management of sites; knowledge and endangered traditions; organization of communities; and sale and consumption habits for mangaba (Mota et al., 2011). Changes in the mangaba tree habitats and exploitation (economic interests of landowners) and in land use (tourism, agriculture, shrimp production) require efforts to be made for sustainable management and conservation of mangaba. Good practices already exist. Some practices contributing to community harmony are agreed among pickers, such as that each family can collect mangaba, but from different trees; farmers from other locations collecting in areas used for generations by specific groups are not well regarded. Fences on private land are commonly respected, though there are also transgressions, such as collecting fruit without permission from the landowners. A set of good practices for conserving mangaba in natural ecosystems was jointly defined through expeditions to different sites, meetings, coaching, training and knowledge sharing among farmers and researchers. According to Mota et al. (2011), good practices are associated with the type of access that women pickers have to private areas or to common lands. The good practices are listed below as sets of recommendations for natural ecosystems, private lands and post-harvest practices.

Traditional management practices in natural ecosystems • Maintain native vegetation because it is a source of livelihood for the communities and houses mangaba pollinators • Do not cut or burn mangaba trees, although they have resistance to soft burning • Do not break branches • Use ‘hooks’ to harvest fruits as branches break if adults climb up the tree • Do not collect unripe fruit, pick only semi-mature fruit or that which has fallen to the ground • Extract latex (medicinal use) sparingly by performing superficial cuts on the trunk and branches to prevent death of plant • Take special care of seedlings growing around the adult plant. The presence of animals can be beneficial as it ensures species dispersal • Remove dry branches and weeds, such as mistletoe (Psittacanthus sp.), which can kill the mangaba tree. Community management of FTGR in Brazil 109 Good management practices in private areas • Produce mangaba seedlings for the enrichment of native vegetation • Fertilize mangaba with crop residues and organic material • Diversify crops with other fruit trees and plants of interest to the community • Control the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae, which causes ‘seca-da- mangabeira’ disease or dry branches.

Post-harvest practices Improved post-harvest practices have resulted in better quality fruit for sale, which has driven an increase in the demand for mangaba from agribusiness. Public policies have benefited women mangaba pickers as government programmes guarantee the purchase of fruit with good appearance and organoleptic qualities and also purchase through school food programmes, which buy fruit and frozen pulp. These improved practices are:

• Remove unripe, overripe, rotten or malformed fruit • Wash fruit to remove sand, dirt and any remaining latex • Dry fruit on cloths or mats, in a cool and shaded area • Package harvested fruit in containers (wicker baskets or paper boxes lined with plastic) to promote ripening.

Most of these activities are part of the daily life of mangaba pickers; however, some improvements, such as the proper selection of fruits for agribusiness and the correct way to package it, were practices introduced by the researchers and disseminated among women pickers through joint courses.

In situ conservation and good practices of butiá Popularly known as butiá, or jelly palm, the genus Butia includes 20 species distributed over Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina (Lorenzi et al., 2010). Butia odorata occurs in southern Brazil. Fruiting starts between 6 and 15 years after plant emergence and continues every year, with variable production depending on the environmental conditions. Even centennial plants produce fruit. The fruit pulp has a high content of potassium, manganese and iron and is rich in vitamin C and carotenoids (Fonseca, 2012). The colour of the mature fruit varies from pale yellow to dark red and has a sweetish- acidic taste. The fruit is used to make juices, liqueurs, jams, ice creams and cakes and to fill chocolates. The leaves are used in crafts, in the production of baskets, bags, hats and other products. The plants are used in landscaping (Büttow et al., 2009) and the seeds contain high-quality oil that could be used to develop cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food products (Rossato, 2007). Depending on the region, butiá is collected for local use or for commercial 110 da Silva Júnior, da Mota, Barbieri and Alercia purposes (Figure 7.2). Because of the strong relationship with the local culture, it is very common to find butiá plants grown in gardens and urban backyards. Until the 1970s, large natural populations of butiá were found in . Since then, due to the cultivation of extensive monoculture crops (rice, soya bean, eucalyptus, pine and acacia), grazing (or livestock) and the expansion of urban areas, they have undergone a rapid decline and only a few natural areas remain. A strategy for sustainable conservation is the adoption of best management practices to ensure the survival of butiá for future generations and the sustainability of the ecosystem, considering the environmental, social and economic perspectives (Rivas, 2013). In areas where the predominant economic activity is livestock produc- tion, one option for sustainable development is conservation management, a methodology for promoting native grassland and butiá conservation by excluding grazing during the winter. Conservative management can allow the development of new plantlets of butiá and also the improvement of native grassland biomass. Good practices using butiá for sustainable development are centred on methods for collecting fruit that protect human health, the environment and the butiá plants:

• Avoid picking fruit near roads (there may be contamination from toxic products derived from fuel combustion) or in areas where agrochemicals were applied to crops like rice and soybean (herbicides, insecticides and fungicides). • Do not harvest unripe or damaged fruit, as it may serve as food for wildlife and can contribute to the conservation of the ecosystem. • Define a collecting rotation plan, avoiding picking the fruit always from the same plants. This is important to ensure availability of seeds for regenera- tion of the population, production of new plantlets and food for wildlife.

Figure 7.2 Collecting butiá in natural populations. Credit: P.S. Rocha. Community management of FTGR in Brazil 111 • Do not collect all the fruit in a given area; leave some of them on each plant to encourage new seedling production.

Conclusions In situ conservation and sustainable harvesting of mangaba and butiá are closely related to the work of mangaba pickers and farmers because of their economic, social and cultural dependency on them. Farmers’ contributions to safeguarding biodiversity and traditional knowledge are critical to valorise, cultivate and use these resources, which in turn will enhance their livelihoods and will sustainably ensure resource availability for future generations. The strategy of linking good management techniques, developed over generations by traditional com- munities, with scientific knowledge has contributed to the conservation of natural ecosystems of these species and to the valorisation of farmers – especially women – as beneficiaries of public policies for social inclusion.

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