Ideflor-Bio strengthens agriculture and extractivism at the 14th Family Production Fair of the Amazon
This year, the Fair had the theme 'Family Production: Achievements and Challenges of the Amazon Territories', highlighting the strategic importance of the sector for sustainable development
The city of Santarém, in western Pará, hosted the 14th Family Production Fair of the Amazon (Fepam) from September 11 to 14, bringing together farmers, extractivists, artisans, and partner institutions to promote regional production. This year, the Fair's theme was "Family Production: Achievements and Challenges of the Amazon Territories", highlighting the strategic importance of the sector for the sustainable development of the Lower Amazon Integration Region.
The Institute of Forest Development and Biodiversity of Pará (Ideflor-Bio) participated in the program through the Regional Office of the Lower Amazon, reinforcing support for family agriculture and extractivism production chains, in line with other institutional partners, such as the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra), the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture (MDA), the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company of the State of Pará (Emater-PA), the State Secretariat for Social Assistance, Labor, Employment and Income (Seaster), and the City Hall of Santarém.
During the four days of the event, Fepam offered various services, including document issuance, technical guidance for farmers, issuance of the Family Agriculture Registration (CAF), information on environmental quotas, and access to the Municipal Inspection Service (SIM). In addition to the business program, the Fair featured cultural activities, musical performances, and raffles, attracting a large audience to the space.
Articulation - According to the manager of the Regional Office of the Lower Amazon of Ideflor-Bio, Weden Mota, the Fair is an important moment of articulation to strengthen local production. "Ideflor-Bio always participates in this Fair. This year we were present with several employees. We also donated 100 fruit and native seedlings, such as açaí, soursop, cupuaçu, ipê, and marupá, which were distributed among producers and visitors. This action is significant because it unites the work of the agency with partners who directly support family farmers in the Lower Amazon," highlighted the manager.
The diversity of products presented impressed visitors. In addition to regional fruits such as açaí, tucumã, and cupuaçu, there were Brazil nuts, especially from harvesting areas in the Trombetas River, and handicrafts produced in communities from Santarém, Almeirim, Aveiro, and other municipalities in the region. The stands showed that extractivism continues to be an important base of the local economy, associated with the strengthening of family agriculture.
Visibility - For Weden Mota, Fepam plays a strategic role in the visibility of producers. "The importance of Ideflor-Bio's work grows when it joins the collective efforts of partners. In addition to valuing extractivism, which is still strong in the region, the Fair opens space to present the advances and achievements of family agriculture, which is the foundation for many families in the Lower Amazon," he added.
In addition to the exhibitions, Fepam has been marked by debates and the launch of public policies. On the second day, the 3rd Conference on Sustainable Rural Territorial Development – Territorial Stage of the Lower Amazon took place, with discussions on the directions of family production. Another highlight was the launch of the Crop Plan, a measure awaited by farmers as a tool to expand access to credit and strengthen production chains.
