It takes approximately 2 hours from Quibdó, navigating the Atrato River in speed boat, to arrive to Medio Atrato.
For many decades, this has been home of indigenous and afro-Colombian communities, that commonly work in artisanal and small-scale mining processes, fishing and agriculture. But in this municipality, like in other regions of the country, the presence of armed groups, drug trafficking, and the levels of poverty, amongst other circumstances, have been an impediment for the sustainable development and well-being of the inhabitants who work to preserve and strengthen the cultural, forestry, fishing, mining and water richness that identifies the region.
The project of UNIDO, the European Union and the Ministries of Environment and Sustainable Development, and Mines and Energy, looks to contribute to this preservation and strengthening, working alongside COCOMACIA -the Community Council of Medio Atrato-, and the men and women in the communities.
A project for the region
The 31st of March 2022, professionals from ASPRODEMA, the Producers´ Association of Medio Atrato, and teachers from the UTCH- Technological University of Chocó, travelled from Quibdó to the towns of Bebarama Campo Alegre and Bebará el Llano, in the municipality of Medio Atrato.
Between the two towns there are around 2,500 residents, who rely on agriculture, fishing and mining, but are looking for another income; one more sustainable and in line with the natural resources that surround them. With them, we carried out the first, of three workshops, to create a sustainable productive project using peach palm.
Peach palm, the ancestral fruit
The peach palm is an indigenous fruit from the Colombian Pacific. In regions like Chocó and Valle del Cauca, it is considered and ancestral fruit, originated from the Amazon watershed, which grows easily in the humid tropical forests.
Its taste, nutritional value and versatility make it a product with enormous potential to transform, be an added value and export. But mainly, as a product for farmers and the community to regain as an ancestral fruit; source of development and prosperity.
During the four days of the mission, the beneficiaries in the two towns assisted to three workshops that imparted the theoretical knowledge that they will later put in practice in the field, in their own crops and businesses.
For a region, where violence still prevails, to able to project themselves as rural entrepreneurs, experts in their own natural resources, to use and preserve them in a sustainable manner, is the first step to build territorial peace for the region.
1. Gender workshops
Recognize the notions around sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender roles and stereotypes, to understand how gender violence can come about.
2. Administration and accounting
Accounting, possibilities for association amongst members of the community, and the creation of communitarian businesses to strengthen administrative and management skills.
3. Workshop: compost for the peach palm plant
Strengthening of the productive skills in the communities by the transfer of the know-how applied to the crops of peach palm, and areas like: pesticide control, phytosanitary aspects, relationship between root and fruit, types of seed and plants.