Fundación Pachamama is celebrating a groundbreaking achievement in the Amazonian bioeconomy: the successful export shipment of the first 10 tons of Morete pulp. This milestone represents a turning point in the sustainable valuation of natural resources and a crucial step toward an economic model centered on sustainability and responsible use of Amazonian products.
A Collaborative Effort to Strengthen the Morete Value Chain
Since 2019, the Morete value chain has been developed as part of a bioeconomy initiative, spearheaded by Fundación Pachamama in collaboration with AJE Group, a Peruvian multinational company specializing in the production, distribution, and sale of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Over the years, key stakeholders have played a vital role in making this achievement possible:
- Prefecture of Pastaza: Conducted aerial mapping of approximately 250,000 hectares of natural Morete palm groves in Indigenous territories and donated a transport truck to Gobierno Autónomo descentralizado municipal intercultural plurinacional de Arajuno, also known as GADMIPA.
- French Development Agency: Provided support to the Naranjilla and Amazonian Fruit Growers Association Murialdo (APNAFAM), a collective of 21 families, played a crucial role in processing and exporting Morete pulp.for plant infrastructure improvements and the construction of a Morete pulp extraction machine.
- Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries (MPCEIP): Issued the designation of origin certificate to APNAFAM, a key requirement for the export of Morete pulp.
- Fundación Pachamama: Ensured fair and effective commercial agreements between AJE Group, APNAFAM, and the participating Indigenous producers, reinforcing its commitment to equitable trade.
Social and Economic Impact on Amazonian Communities
This milestone has a significant social and economic impact, directly benefiting 58 Morete-producing families in Arajuno canton, Pastaza province. Among them, 20 Waorani families from the communities of Ewengono and Daipare successfully marketed the fruit, bolstering the local economy through both river and land transportation. During the harvest and transport season, dozens of tons of Morete were mobilized, financed, and transported by Grupo AJE, creating jobs and revitalizing the region’s economy.
APNAFAM played a crucial role in processing and exporting Morete pulp. This sustainable production model not only benefits the participating communities but also strengthens the market for value-added Amazonian products, paving the way for future economic opportunities.
Advancing Ecuador’s Bioeconomy Strategy
The successful commercialization of Morete aligns with Ecuador’s White Paper on Bioeconomy, a national strategy led by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition. This initiative demonstrates that the sustainable use of biodiversity can generate viable economic alternatives to extractivism.
In this initial phase, Kichwa, Shuar, and Waorani communities in Arajuno canton have played a crucial role in building an inclusive and sustainable value chain. Looking ahead, the next Morete harvest season, scheduled for September, aims to further reinforce this emerging bioeconomy model.
A Thriving Bioeconomy Takes Shape
Thanks to the combined efforts of Indigenous communities, partner organizations, and key stakeholders, the shipment of the first Morete container is now a reality. This achievement signals a promising future for Amazonian bioeconomy initiatives, proving that sustainable economic development and forest conservation can go hand in hand.
With each step forward, Fundación Pachamama continues to champion the responsible use of Amazonian resources, ensuring that economic progress benefits both people and the planet.
