CADEIA PRODUTIVA DA GUAVIRA (Campomanesia spp. Ruiz & Pav.) EM BONITO, MATO GROSSO DO SUL

Abstract

This research sought to identify the specific linkages within the production chain, the associated management practices, and the socioeconomic constraints that currently impede the sustainable development of guavira (Campomanesia spp.) in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, specifically analyzed within a socio-biodiversity context. The methodology employed a qualitative-descriptive approach, utilizing snowball sampling, participant observation, and the application of semi-structured interviews with 23 key informants, comprising 7 extractivists residing in the Santa Lúcia Settlement and 16 urban retailers. The resulting data demonstrate that the Pé da Serra Women's Productive Group, originating from the Santa Lúcia Settlement, functions as the central, pivotal agent of this chain. This group operates across multiple operational functions and leverages Traditional Ecological Knowledge for the holistic utilization of the fruit, which notably includes the application of the peel and seeds as flavoring agents (spices). Nevertheless, the production chain is currently characterized by persistent limitations. Extractivism itself is intrinsically constrained by the species’ pronounced seasonality—as fruiting is concentrated over only a three-month period—and by the absence of organized management protocols necessary to enable commercial-scale cultivation. From a socioeconomic perspective, the pricing analysis revealed an unequal distribution of aggregated value, evidenced by a substantial disparity between the selling price obtained by the extractivist and the final price observed in the tourist retail sector. We conclude that the long-term viability of the guavira chain is contingent upon the effective mitigation of these identified bottlenecks. This necessitates strategic investment in processing technology (such as pulp freezing) and the promotion of active management practices capable of ensuring supply stability. These findings provide crucial technical subsidies for strengthening the regional bioeconomy and for guaranteeing equitable value distribution, thereby solidifying the Santa Lúcia Settlement as a viable model for alternative development.