Socioeconomic potential of non-timber forest products in the sustainable development reserve of Uatuma, Amazonas

Abstract

In the protected areas of the Amazon, the extraction of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) is one of the most relevant economic activities for the well-being of communities and for the in situ conservation of agrobiodiversity. This research aimed to evaluate the current management and commercialization practices of NTFPs in the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve, through semistructured interviews with 23 family units and 7 local resellers of regional products. We considered the following variables to evaluate the commercialization potential: abundance of available NTFPs, interest of families, use and management practices, cost of production, productivity and profitability. Of the 24 NTFPs collected by the families, there was a greater representativeness in food products. Based on 9 potentiality indicators, we evaluated the 6 NTFPs with the highest frequency of commercialization. Supply and demand proved to be the determining variables in all NTFPs and the cost of labor proved to be the factor with the greatest impact on the cost of production. NTFPs are resources that contribute mainly to household food security. Ours results recommend an intensified management of copaíba (Copaifera L.), mainly for obtaining oil-resin, a product best evaluated by Family Units and with growing regional demand, according to retailers.