Value chain dynamics of an emerging palm fiber handicraft market in Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

Non-timber forest product (NTFP) markets are often used as a development tool to improve livelihood stability of socio-economically vulnerable communities with access to natural resources. Interventions to encourage growth of NTFP markets, however, often succeed at reaching only subsets of target populations. To address impacts of changing NTFP markets on livelihoods and sustainable forest management, value chain and livelihood systems analyses were used to evaluate impacts of a buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) handicraft market on heterogeneous buriti users in Maranhão, Brazil. Data were obtained through interviews with 97 individuals who operated as different types of buriti users. Buriti value chain diagrams were constructed by identifying patterns among responses. Socioeconomic characteristics of actors were identified using statistical means comparisons. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the socioeconomic factors that correlated with peoples' role in the value chain. Results showed that the new market has introduced new individuals who interact with pre-existing buriti users. Actors differ by livelihood strategy, socioeconomic factors, and perceptions regarding sustainability of leaf collection. Social heterogeneity in NTFP value chains should be considered by initiatives that seek to influence participation in NTFP markets, evaluate effects of commercialization on livelihoods, and effectively design and implement resource management strategies.

Keywords::

• Mauritia flexuosa
• buriti
• NTFP
• Maranhão
• value chain
• livelihood systems
• emerging markets

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the generous cooperation of the community members of Barreirinhas that made this research possible. We thank our research collaborator, Noemi Miyasaka Porro of University Federal de Pará, for her valuable in-country assistance. We also appreciate the helpful suggestions made by anonymous reviewers.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a doctoral dissertation improvement grant from the US National Science Foundation (award ID1032034); a Botany in Action fellowship from Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburg, PA; and a Brazilian Initiation Scholarship from the Brazilian Studies Association.