Policy makers in Bolivia are becoming increasingly interested in supporting the livelihoods of the hundreds of local communities that effectively control two million hectares of the country's northern Amazon forests.

For thousands of the families spread among these communities, the main source of livelihood income is the forest's rich source of Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa). Across Bolivia, Brazil nuts comprise 45 percent of the country's forest-related exports and contribute more than $70 million dollars to the national economy

Planning the future of the Brazil nut industry in Bolivia requires policy makers to assess the sector's current management practices. CIFOR was able to assist with this assessment by helping to organize an experts' workshop in the northern town of Cobija. CIFOR organized the workshop in cooperation with Bolivia's Forestry Directorate and the Environment and Forest Management Program for the Bolivian Amazon (PROMAB). Together they developed a workshop that would help policy makers to evaluate best practices for Brazil nut management on community controlled lands.

Entitled “Exchanging Experience with Brazil Nut Management: Defining Strategies to Strengthen Extractavist Communities” the workshop brought together leading experts from a range of institutions. CIFOR was represented by Peter Cronkleton, Manuel Guariguata and Marco Antonio Albornoz.

The meeting’s general objective was to strengthen extractivist communities in Bolivia by improving the management of Brazil nuts. It also allowed participants to exchange experiences and visions related to Brazil nut management and best management practices.

A feature of the workshop was the level of dialogue between communities, state institutions and NGOs, with representatives from community producer groups also presenting their perspective on Brazil nut management. Casildo Quispe of COINACAPA, a producer organization, said his community's management practices are more influenced by the market than policy. This is due mainly to COINACAPA's success in entering the Fair Trade and Organic markets, which place strict requirements on product quality and origin.

Manuel Lima of FSUTCP, the principal organization representing community producers, stressed the importance of Brazil nuts to member families. He expressed strong views about the government's new technical norms for Brazil nut management, suggesting they do not respond to the needs of the community based producer and that they place unfair demands on communities.

Also at the workshop was Jaime Villanueva, the Ministry's Director for Forestry Development. The Director updated participants on current processes that need reviewing to help improve Brazil nut and, more generally, NTFP management. These include disseminating information and getting feedback on new practices.

During the workshop participants discussed and identified relevant management strategies. An animated session involving more than 50 people produced a range of recommendations (see Policy recommendations).

A summary paper of the workshop is being sent to stakeholders to both generate feedback and foster further discussion. The government is encouraging further debate by organizing meetings among producer groups and other private and public sector stakeholders. The government is sending a very strong signal that it is right behind the Brazil nut industry and its role as an important national resource. PC, MG