Pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm.) extrativism: situation and perspectives for its sustainability in Cariri Cearense, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the plant richness of Chapada do Araripe, Brazil, the pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm) extractivism occurs as an important activity that affects the economy and social life of the main cities of Cearense Cariri, although there is little knowledge about its current situation and sustainability perspective. The aim of this work is to collect information regarding actor relationships involved in the pequi extractive activity, relating them to the sustainability dimensions. This study was carried in the Barreiro Novo camping site, located in the state highway CE 060 in the Jardim-Ce municipality. Semistructured questionnaires were used with pequi collectors to establish a socioeconomic profile, besides using the participant observation method, pictures and content analysis in order to relate and identify the sustainability in this environment. Extractivism activity in the Chapada do Araripe region is something cultural, which has a special vision towards environmental issues that generates income for extrastivist families. However, the region needs policies for improving social conditions (water and sanitation in the camping site) and keeping the tradition without missing the environmental perspective.

Keywords

• Agricultural waste
• community
• regional development
• oil
• NTFP
• FLONA