|
|
2 - INTRODUCTION
This electronic primer is the result of a participatory study, carried out in 1993 and 1994 in three adjacent extractivist communities located in Xapuri, Acre: Extractive Reserve Cachoeira, Seringal São Miguel, and Seringal São José. Besides representing a part of PESACRE’s research and extension agenda, the results presented are also part of a University of Florida doctoral investigation which examined methods for establishing Brazil nut seedlings (Bertholletia excelsa) with rubber tapper families who live in these extractive areas.
The active participation of IBAMA (Institute of Environment and Natural Renewable Resources) and CAEX (Agroextractive Cooperative of Xapurí) was essential for successful completion of these activities. These institutions provided basic infrastructure and rich personal and professional support. Finally, the collaboration and dedication of the families involved in the research were of utmost importance to project completion. Their sharing of life experiences and knowledge about their environment were fundamental to project success, and their personal warmth and generosity were immeasurable.
Using a simple and easily comprehended language, this primer was initially published in Portuguese in the form of a paper pamphlet, with the stated objective to take research results to rubber tapper families and their support organizations. Thus, these results represent an important part of the experience exchanged among the institutions and persons involved in the work. When given this opportunity, everyone was united in the search for knowledge and experience directed towards a quality of life improvement in the rubber tapper areas and consequently, for life for all of us.
___________________________
The scientific article outlining this study is entitled "Brazil nut seedling establishment and autocology in Extractive Reserves of Acre, Brazil" and can be found in the journal "Ecological Applications", 8 (2), 1998, pp. 397-410. The following is an English adaptation of the primer itself.