Forest resources, family networks and the municipal disconnect: Examining recurrent underdevelopment in the Amazon estuary

Abstract

There has been a widespread assumption that a strong market for locally managed, sustainable production systems provides the key for regional development and conservation in the Amazon. During the past decades, a variety of factors has allowed for the first part of this equation to happen throughout the Amazon estuary. The region has experienced significant growth, intensification of production, and wide participation in the market economy of forest fruits and products. The expected outcome, however, has yet to be realized and seems far from certain. Throughout history, the Amazonian estuarine floodplains have experienced some of the most dramatic demands for forest and agricultural products: cacao, rubber, sugarcane, rice, logging, fisheries, heart of palm, and açaí fruit are some examples. The productivity of regional forests, accessibility, proximity to state capitals, and the agroforestry knowledge of local populations are some of the factors facilitating these processes. However, despite stronger market connections, incentives for sustainable development, and valuing of regional products and cultural identities, old problems persistently exist in ever more puzzling forms. Why do we see a recurrent pattern of underdevelopment, as measured by education, health, job opportunities, income distribution, and public services, even under good market and production conditions? This chapter combines long-term longitudinal ethnographic research and regional census data (economic, social, human development) to analyze the intensification of production and commercialization of forest and agricultural resources in the Amazon estuary. Different factors mediate the interaction between producers, municipalities, and regional markets. In spite of a growing market for forest products have had limited impact in aggregating economic value at the municipal level, thus limiting local investments in social services and infrastructure, and creating employment opportunities. As in many parts of the Amazon, estuarine municipalities suffer from the lack of basic services and political conditions that enable economic development, while depending on federal assistance funds. This chapter discusses the need for initiatives focusing on the creation of transformative industries and producer-based cooperative systems connected to rural areas and small towns.