A bioeconomy is based on the sustainable use of biological resources to generate economic, social and environmental value. In the Amazon, this is crucial, as it allows to reap its enormous biodiversity and develop value chains that contribute to the well-being of local communities, ensuring the conservation of forests and fight against climate change.
However, there are many information gaps about the opportunities that the Amazon’s immense biodiverse products can generate. From where they grow, to who produces them, in what quantities, where and who buys them. These are some of the answers that Conservation International Peru through the Forest Finance Investment Incubator, together with the Regional Governments (GOREs) of Loreto, San Martin, Huanuco and Amazonas, and other key actors, have sought to enhance value chains that strengthens a bioeconomy in the Amazon that can improve local livelihoods.
These studies, including the prioritization of the specific chains, involved the participation of local producers, buyers and specialists in national and international markets. This comprehensive approach has generated key information for designing strategies to help bioproducts succeed with social inclusion and income generation for Amazonian communities.
In the región of Amazonas, priority was given to cape gooseberry, bamboo, native cacao and dragon fruit; in Huánuco, shiringa latex and copaiba oil; in Loreto, aguaje fruit, camu camu fruit, chambira fiber, and melipona honey; and in San Martín, pompona vanilla, cat's claw, dragon’s blood and shiringa.
The results are essential tools for guiding decision-making and promoting the implementation of public policies to foster strategic production chains. They seek to position bio-businesses as an engine of sustainable development, capable of improving the quality of life in Amazonian territories while protecting their invaluable biodiversity.
Although the studies were on different chains and locations, we found common opportunities and challenges throughout. Challenges include the lack of scientific research on the products and their attributes, legal aspects and permits for their sustainable use, access to broad and differentiated markets, and logistical difficulties, among others. Despite these, all the chains analyzed present great opportunities for their regions, including the growing national and international demand for natural products (in various industries), and single-source and sustainable products. Opportunities can also be explored beyond the raw material, with transformation , added value, and its derivatives.
It is essential that conservation and sustainable development efforts be integrated into the planning and expansion of these value chains. All of them have great potential; however, it is essential to have strategic plans in the territory to prevent risks with potential adverse effects such as unsustainable use or the planting of monocultures.
The results of the analysis of each chain by region are technical documents that can be requested at the following e-mail address: contactope@conservation.org
Executive summaries of the entire analysis in each of the regions have been landed and can be downloaded here: https://www.conservation.org/peru/publicaciones
We thank all the parties involved for demonstrating how collaboration among multiple actors can generate effective solutions that contribute to a more sustainable, competitive and inclusive future for the Peruvian Amazon.