Análise da sustentabilidade na produção do açaí no sul do Amazonas: um estudo de caso em Manicoré

Abstract

Sustainable development has been widely discussed due to the environmental, social, and economic challenges facing different regions of the world. In the Amazon, increasing pressure on natural resources highlights the need to strengthen productive activities capable of reconciling income generation, environmental conservation, and the valuing of rural communities. In this context, açaí (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) production stands out as a significant economic, social, and cultural activity for Amazonian populations, contributing to food security, income generation, and the preservation of traditional ways of life. Thus, this dissertation aimed to evaluate the sustainability of açaí production in the Água Azul community located in the municipality of Manicoré, in the southern state of Amazonas using economic, social, and environmental indicators. The research employed a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach involving 19 agro-extractive producers, utilizing semi-structured questionnaires and a four-point Likert scale for data collection. The data were organized and analyzed using Microsoft Excel, enabling an assessment of sustainability indicators across their various dimensions. The results showed an overall sustainability index of 2.60, classified as indicating medium sustainability. The environmental dimension showed the best performance (2.80), followed by the social dimension (2.53) and the economic dimension (2.47). Key positive aspects included phytosanitary management practices, fertilization, water management, community participation, and access to education. Conversely, the lowest scores were observed in indicators related to access to credit, technical assistance, employment opportunities, basic sanitation, environmental legislation, and sustainable management practices. These results indicate structural weaknesses linked to a limited public policy presence, a lack of technical assistance, and difficulties in accessing rural development support services. It is concluded that the production of Euterpe precatoria holds the potential to foster sustainable development in the region; however, this depends on strengthening public policies, expanding access to credit and technical assistance, ensuring environmental compliance, and improving the social conditions of producer families, thereby contributing to the strengthening of family farming and the sustainable use of forest resources.