Chapter Seven. Do partnerships between large corporations and amazonian indigenous groups help or hinder communities and forests?

Abstract

Brazilian Amazonia is rich in multi-scale company-community partnerships, particularly those related to the commercialisation of non-timber forest products (NTFP). But who gains most and who loses from such partnerships? Empirical evaluations of changes in livelihoods and forest conservation are still scarce. This chapter presents results of the research on the effects of integration of the indigenous A'Ukre-Kayapo community into fair trade markets through the production of Brazil nut oil. Partnerships are broadly defined as the informal or formal relations established between medium to large companies and forest communities, whose stated minimum aim is to benefit both partners. The chapter explores the least studied segment of corporate-communities agreements relating to NTFP trade and evaluates the likely benefits and problems that can be derived from them.Keywords: A'Ukre-Kayapo community; Brazil nut oil; Brazilian Amazonia; corporate-community agreements; data gathering methodology; forest conservation; non-timber forest products (NTFP) trade