Pará has the potential to lead the bioeconomy globally, but still needs to overcome obstacles

Many debates gain repercussions year after year on World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th. Few of them, however, are as comprehensive as the concept of bioeconomy and are so full of possibilities for a sustainable future and social well-being, generating employment, income and environmental preservation.

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"Today, I can say that açaí is the cornerstone of our bioeconomy, as it involves local culture, the population, strict international standards and income for vulnerable communities. It is a set of values that interact with each other", says Mário Jardim, engineer of forest that coordinates the Goeldi botany area.

Jardim has been researching açaí and the management of açaí trees since 1988. According to him, who holds a doctorate in biological sciences and ecology, the açaí production chain changes according to each municipality. Despite the large volume of fruit in the state, he believes that it is necessary to think about the future, even if the açaí palm is currently not at risk of extinction.

“There is the issue of maintaining the natural açai palm populations. It is a plant widely used for commercial purposes. Another point is to value the actors involved. I have been working with extractivists in the community for many years and I see that there is still a lot to improve for them in terms of quality of life. More than bioeconomy, we need to promote bio-entrepreneurship, with young people and entrepreneurs investing in natural products with cooperatives, in a shared way. My suggestion, at this time when Environment Day is celebrated, is that they plant a seedling of açaí wherever it is, for the generations to come", warns Mário.

Consumers can support bioeconomy with simple acts

According to a Nielsen study, carried out in 2019, sustainability is the third biggest concern of the Brazilian consumer. Seven million homes in the country declared to have sustainable habits and they are the ones that concentrate almost 20% of the sales of hygiene and beauty products, an area in which the Amazon also has potential.

The branch has large industries installed in Pará, but small entrepreneurs also drive the cosmetics sector in the Amazon. When Laura Loisy created Eulauea Natural Cosmetics, the aim was to solve a longstanding personal problem.

"The brand has existed since 2019. I've been a vegetarian for seven years and I've always been looking for vegan products and I never had many options, even because of the lack of money too. So I started researching how to make shampoo and soaps with local ingredients. Besides, I'm from “Candomblé” and I've always worked with herbs. After a while, people realized that I was using different products and they became interested", she, who is 20 years old, says.

The shampoos, soaps and facial care products developed by Laura are a success. Over time, other concerns emerged in the entrepreneur's mind, all related to the bioeconomy and sustainability. She made a point, for example, of valuing local suppliers, and making consumers aware of the disposal of containers, which are all returnable.

"I was also noticing the issue of garbage, plastic, and ecological care. I only use Amazonian products too: Amazonian oils, Amazonian butters, from the purchase to the making until the person receives it, everything is thought of. My main supplier is Amazon Oil, from Ananindeua, which unfortunately few people know about. In addition, I use rosemary, chamomile and other herbs, all bought at Ver-o-Peso market", says she, who does everything herself and, sometimes, counts on her girlfriend's help.

Despite the reach that social networks have given to Laura's business, she believes that there is still a lack of incentive in Pará, despite the state's potential to lead this new economy in the cosmetics market based on sustainability.

"I see a lot of people who are interested, a lot of people buy to resell and there are many producers. People are curious about this. Before, I had a niche, here in the center of Belém, nowadays it has expanded a lot. But some chemicals for the shampoo I have to buy in São Paulo. There is a lack of diversification and dissemination as well," she understands, who has been increasing production since moving to a bigger house.

For Joice Ferreira, from Embrapa, citizens can contribute to strengthening the local bioeconomy with simple actions.

"People go to the mall and look at an imported product with great appreciation, but they have a certain dislike for what is local. Valuing the bioeconomy is valuing the products of our biodiversity. When we value local fairs, local producers, and choose our representatives, who give value to the forest, and are going to work towards forest conservation, and the culture of gastronomy, all of this is to encourage the bioeconomy, helping the development of the place where we live, which is unique," she advises.