The Awajún communities of Alto Mayo aim to produce up to 70 thousand seedlings per year.
Early this year, the native community of Huascayacu (Moyobamba, San Martín) inaugurated the first Awajún Propagation Center. It is the first of its kind nationwide, authorized for the reproduction of vanilla seedlings.
The Awajún Regional Indigenous Federation of Alto Mayo - FERIAAM and Conservation International led the construction of the infrastructure as part of the initiative "Tajimat Pujut, restoration and conservation of the Awajún forests of Alto Mayo," which seeks to improve the quality of life and well-being of the Awajún poeple through sustainable productive activities such as the production of vanilla.
The Ministry of the Environment, the National Forestry and Wildlife Service - SERFOR and the Regional Environmental Authority, in charge of granting authorization for the formal production process of the vanilla genus, a species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), where present at the launch.
"Inaugurating this propagation center today lays the groundwork for sustainable agriculture to restore our forests and achieve the well-being of our Awajún communities. It also ensures the preservation and conservation of an endangered species," stated Edward Cahuaza, president of FERIAAM, in his inaugural speech.
The Propagation Center is a technical and operational infrastructure spanning 5,000 square meters. It features a laboratory dedicated to producing biofertilizers and pest and disease control using native microorganisms, two nursery areas with automatic irrigation, a zone dedicated to the production of native forest species, an Awajún centre for training sessions, and storage with specialized equipment and tools.
The construction and implementation of the center were carried out through the partnership between Vanilla Peru - AVAIPE and Conservation International. AVAIPE has been implementing vanilla plots under sustainable systems and providing technical assistance to over 150 Awajún producers in the native community of Huascayacu.
Tajimat Pujut Initiative
Tajimat Pujut (well-being) initiative is led by FERIAAM and its partner, Conservation International to improve the quality of life and well-being of the Awajún population in Alto Mayo through the recovery and conservation of their communal forests.
To date, 15 Awajún communities are part of the initiative, with 7 of these communities having Conservation Agreements. Through these agreements, prioritized activities in their communal life plan are being implemented.