At a Glance
Location: Amazonas, Brazil
Impact Areas: Labor Inclusion, Environment, Sustainable Income
People Supported:
Small-Scale Farmers, Rural
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2021
Overview
Associação dos Agropecuários de Beruri (ASSOAB) has been supporting small Brazil nut collectors in Beruri, Amazonas since 1996, generating stable income for the isolated communities while respecting their traditional livelihoods and the environment. The association acquires raw Brazil nuts from more than 350 collecting families from the indigenous land Itixi Mitari and the sustainable development reserve (RDS) Piagaçú-Purus. Every year, ASSOAB’s employees visit the small collecting families to deliver new equipment and offer in-person ecological and sustainability training, fostering environmental awareness among local communities.
ASSOAB is the second-largest employer in the municipality and operates an industrial plant that can process up to 200 tons of Brazil nuts annually. After receiving raw nuts from the harvesters, ASSOAB’s employees dehydrate and package the final products, which are sold to various cosmetic and food corporations.
Results & Impact
3,000
hectares of native forests conserved
40%
full-time employees are women
350
Brazil nut harvesting families supported
“NESsT’s support will help us to diversify our production with the sale of [vegetable] oils, a new product, and benefit our [Brazil nut] collectors through the purchase of raw materials. Through these lines of products, we will generate more sustainable income in the communities of RDS (Sustainable Development Reserve) Piagaçú and TI (Terra Indigena) Itixi Mitari in Baixo Purus.”
NESsT Investment
NESsT’s investment will equip the association to diversify its product lines and reach new markets. To enhance ASSOAB’s conservation efforts that protect almost 1.2 million hectares of native forests, NESsT will help the association to improve its impact monitoring and tracking process and advise them on new financing options as the association strengthens its position as a major Brazil nut producer in Brazil.