Palm fruits are important non-timber forest products for rural people's livelihoods in the Amazon region, as many are nutritious foods and have the potential to generate income. However, in Pando, Bolivia, their commercialization is in most cases still underdeveloped. This study aimed to assess the potential of four palm fruits for sustainable commercialization and to identify their related promoting and hindering conditions. The palm fruits studied were açaí (Euterpe precatoria Mart), majo (Oenocarpus bataua Mart), motacu (Attalea phalerata Mart. ex Spreng) and palma real (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.). We gathered data from 14 key informants using semi-structured online interviews, 10 community members using structured interviews, and literature. We analyzed the data with qualitative content analysis and a multi-criteria decision-making method. Açaí has the highest potential due to its high abundance, demand, and specialized institutional support, among others. Majo, with a medium potential, benefited from its similarities with açaí regarding harvesting and processing, but still has technical processing deficiencies. Palma real and motacu had low potential because of low demand and lack of knowledge regarding harvesting and processing. This study demonstrates the importance of considering multidisciplinary factors when assessing sustainable commercialization potentials.
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