Project in process | Female empowerment
Mulheres e a cultura do pinhão
Location
The Araucaria forest, also referred to as the Floresta Ombrófila Mista (Mixed Ombrophilous Forest) and characterized by Araucaria angustifolia, is an ecosystem within the Mata Atlântica biome spanning from Rio Grande do Sul to Paraná. Small fragments of this forest can also be found in the southern region of São Paulo.
Presently, this ecosystem faces significant challenges due to human activity, resulting in extensive alterations to its original coverage. Its reduction and altered state have been primarily caused by intense logging practices and the conversion of forested areas into agricultural and livestock zones.
The project will be carried out in eight municipalities located in this ecosystem, throughout the region of natural distribution of the araucaria. The municipalities covered are Bento Gonçalves, in Rio Grande do Sul; Caçador and Lages, in Santa Catarina; Lapa, Fernandes Pinheiro, Bituruna and Fazenda Rio Grande, in Paraná; and Cunha, in São Paulo.
Species: Araucaria or Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia)
The Araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia) is categorized as an "Endangered" species under the MMA Ordinance No. 443, issued on December 17, 2014, primarily due to its historical exploitation. Several strategies have been implemented, including the concept of "conservation through use," which involves encouraging pine nut cultivation and Araucaria seed propagation while safeguarding remaining species habitats.
Pine nuts serve as a significant income source for family farming. Traditionally consumed cooked or stewed, they are a part of the culinary tradition during autumn and winter in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil, commonly found in markets, fairs, and roadside stalls.
Expanding processing methods offer new possibilities for its use, such as the sale of ready-to-eat pine nuts (cooked, peeled, and frozen), easily incorporated into the gastronomy sector. Additionally, the preparation of flours derived from pine nuts finds use in various bread products. Apart from their culinary appeal, scientific research recognizes pine nuts as functional food due to their high content of resistant starch, fiber, and minerals. Importantly, they are gluten-free, presenting potential market opportunities within the celiac community.
The presented project's focus lies in the sustainable utilization of this species.
Community history
In the Southern and parts of the Southeastern regions, the pine nut harvest during its season significantly contributes to the income of sharecroppers, occasional collectors and small rural producers.
For women engaged in family farming, income opportunities remain predominantly limited to low-paying activities within the rural property. Employment prospects are scarce and distant, often leaving them to manage land, oversee household affairs and care for children. Consequently, their financial independence is typically linked to the male figure responsible for negotiating and commercializing family production.
Introducing sustainable management of native species as a source of work and income for these women represents a means to balance development opportunities and enhance their decision-making abilities. This initiative empowers women in contributing to the protection and conservation of biodiversity.
However, the management of Araucaria - an endangered species - still primarily relies on extractive methods, lacking organized or formalized production chains. The project aims to encourage associations and environmental awareness, ensuring proper collection practices. Moreover, it emphasizes the professionalization of rural women in pine nut extraction.
Its premise revolves around conserving Araucaria through the utilization of its non-wood products, particularly pine nuts, offering alternative income sources for women in rural areas.
Historical impacts:
1998 – Araucária enters the list of endangered species
2019 – Formalization of Avon’s support for the “Mulheres e a cultura do pinhão” project
2023 – “Mulheres e a cultura do pinhão” project comes into operation
The project
The project's goal is to create employment opportunities and generate income for women in family farming by providing training and promoting activities related to pine nut cultivation on rural family properties, ensuring the sustainable utilization of this natural resource.
Thus, the aim is to educate women in processing and culinary techniques involving pine nuts, presenting them with a new avenue to engage in this market. This involves producing high-value products and enhancing their families' income, encouraging the formation of associations that will also enhance product quality and facilitate organized marketing strategies, providing access to new markets.
08
women's associations engaged in the project, one (01) in each municipality.
360
women involved in the pinhão market.
80%
increase in the income of women working in the pinhão segment.
80
Araucária orchards installed, with, on average, 10 orchards in each municipality.
400
women instructed in the implementation of plants for processing frozen pine nuts and cooking with pine nuts.
Project impacts
Project activities
Promoting the establishment of associations for marketing pine nut products
This initiative involves forging new partnerships and forming rural producer associations, aiming to establish at least one association in each municipality. These associations will centralize the creation of a Work Plan and schedule courses to be offered.
Encouraging the implementation of pine nut processing units through associations
Additionally, these associations will be motivated to set up pine nut processing units equipped with stainless steel tables, transportation vehicles, washing tanks, vacuum filling equipment and freezing structures like freezers or freezing chambers. These units will facilitate fruit processing, adding value to the final product.
Establishing early pine nut production orchards on small rural properties, featuring matrices from various production periods and types of pine nuts
This phase involves establishing Araucaria orchards to yield early pine nuts on women's properties. Rural producers will receive guidance and training in selecting new Araucaria matrices, grafting techniques and determining suitable areas for establishing these orchards.
Training women on family farms in culinary techniques using pine nuts
Training sessions will be organized per municipality to educate individuals on culinary methods involving pine nuts, emphasizing their significance in food preparation and food security.
Realization
Avon
Avon is part of the Natura&Co group, one of the largest beauty groups in the world, and its purpose is to empower women and promote their financial independence. With the aim of being the best beauty company in the world and for the world, Avon has a sustainability policy that focuses on commitment to life, addressing social problems such as equality and inclusion, and environmental problems such as climate crises and loss of biodiversity.
Embrapa Florestas
Embrapa Florestas is one of the Units of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company – Embrapa. Created in 1978, its focus is the development of technologies for the Brazilian forestry sector, allowing better production efficiency, reducing production costs, increasing the supply of forestry and agricultural products, and conserving the environment.
VBIO.eco
Bioeconomy platform that enables projects to value Brazilian biodiversity. It has a multidisciplinary team with more than 12 years of experience in project management and corporate communication. Its work has already enabled the operation of 23 projects to enhance biodiversity and created a network of more than 500 organizations and companies active in the socio-environmental cause.
