[International cooperation NGO Mama No Amazonia]
Now accepting donations: A project that aims to protect the Amazon and resolve poverty among indigenous peoples by planting 6,000 trees, mainly wild cacao in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
*International cooperation NGO Mama No Amazonia*
Press release: September 4, 2024
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Now accepting donations: A project that aims to protect the Amazon and resolve poverty among indigenous peoples by planting 6,000 trees, mainly wild cacao in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
*The project started after achieving the target amount of 1,359,000 yen. The National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization, a public interest incorporated association, has started soliciting donations for limited use to contribute to SDGs. *
Kotaro Ezawa, Representative of NGO Mama No Amazonia
NGO Mama No Amazonia (Representative Kotaro Ezawa / Minato-ku, Tokyo / Preparing to establish an NPO corporation) will be a candidate project for the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization’s “SDGs contribution limited donation” from September 2, 2024. Accepted* We are now collecting donations for the project that aims to protect and expand virgin forests through the planting of rare wild species of cacao and 6,000 forest trees.
This project is a grant project that will officially start if the target amount of donations of 1,359,000 yen is achieved.
Donation period: September 2nd to October 30th, 2024
Donation site: https://www.green.or.jp/bokin/crowdfunding/sdgs-r6-03
This project will protect and expand the primeval forests of the Ecuadorian Amazon by planting 6,000 forest trees, mainly native wild cacao species with rare genetic resources.
By placing rare wild cacao at the center of tree planting, we also aim to provide a future source of income for the Quichua community, which protects the virgin forest.
Maps and distant photos of activity locations
The activity location is approximately 1,400 hectares of tropical forest owned by the Quichua community of Pasouluk in Tena City, Napo Prefecture, Ecuador, approximately 15,000 km from Japan. This area is Napo
It is a buffer zone adjacent to Galeras National Park. Historically considered to be the origin of cacao. This region is home to anteaters, butterflies, monkeys, agoutis, deer, wild boars, Andean rockbirds, toucans, turkeys, squirrels, and more, while the adjacent national park is also home to jaguars, pumas, bears, and other biodiversity-rich animals. It is considered a hotspot.
Socio-ecological impact of this project
– Protection and expansion of virgin forests centered on wild cacao – Mitigating climate change by planting forest trees
– Contribute to the protection of surrounding virgin forests and prevent loss of biodiversity
– Improving the living conditions of small-scale farmers and reducing poverty through the creation of value chains using wild cocoa beans
Project flow
1. Survey of wild cacao tree habitat and collection of fruit – We investigated where, how much, and what kind of wild cacao grows in an area of approximately 1,400 hectares.
– Collecting fruits for making seedlings.
– Research on forest tree species that live together with wild cacao. – Purchasing harnesses for climbing giant trees and conducting safety training.
– GPS mapping.
2. Construction of seedling nurseries and technical education – Build two nurseries.
– Raising wild cacao and forest tree seedlings.
– 3000 cacao bottles and 3000 other cacao bottles.
3. Nursery maintenance and management
– Daily maintenance of the nursery.
– Survival rate survey of seedlings.
4. Planting trees in appropriate sections of primeval forest by indigenous farmers
We planted cacao and forest trees in areas of virgin forest with few trees.
5. Genetic investigation of wild cacao
Purpose of donation
◎Environmental maintenance
Plot survey, maintenance, collection
◎Understanding the habitat status of wild cacao, selecting planting plots, GPS mapping, and collecting fruit for making seedlings – 1 WINAK engineer 1.5 months ¥213,300
– 2 people from the community for 60 days ¥189,600
– Seed collection ¥158,000
– Research on breed and genetic analysis: $51 per sample permit shipping materials ¥316,000
– Safety equipment for safely collecting wild cacao trees over 20m in height ¥158,000
– Safety equipment training course ¥79,000
◎Creating nurseries and seedlings
– Seed beds will be established in two locations. 2 engineers: 1 month, maintenance (6 months): 2 people ¥252,800
– Nursery materials ¥205,400
– Nursery maintenance ¥181,700
◎Tree planting
– Selection of a plot by a community farmer that is suitable for planting wild cacao trees due to its lack of greenery in the primeval forest.
The plots were selected by two engineers for one week, and a total of 20 farmers, 10 in each region, planted trees in the two regions. ￥284,400
– Mortality and survival rate monitoring of seedlings after 6 months: 2 people x 2 weeks ¥142,200
◎Local project coordination fee, accounting fee ¥379,000
◎Project total ¥2,710,000
About NGO Mama No Amazon
NGO Mama Noa Amazonia aims to “conserve the rich tropical
rainforest” and “create a society where family farmers who practice Ecuador’s Amazon Chakra farming method (a world agricultural heritage site) can live with peace of mind and smiles.” It was established in 2024 mainly by members who have been working with indigenous Quichua people in the Amazon region of Ecuador for over 10 years. (NPOs are preparing applications)
In the Ecuadorian Amazon, indigenous people practice a traditional forest farming method called the Amazon Chakra System (certified as a World Agricultural Heritage Site by the United Nations FAO), producing a wide variety of crops and conserving the rainforest.
By supporting family farmers in the Chakra system of the Ecuadorian Amazon while keeping an eye on global issues, we aim to create a positive cycle that increases incomes for indigenous people, strengthens communities, protects rights, and conserves tropical forests. Our activities are aimed at supporting. We hope that activities at the local level will be carried out in regions around the world and that the mutual exchange of wisdom and examples will lead to solutions to global issues. We would be happy if you could become our partner.
* Contribution to SDGs through this project *
✳︎Eliminating poverty
We analyzed the genes of a rare wild species of cacao that lives in the primeval forests of Ecuador and proved its rarity. In the future, the community will commercialize wild cacao with high added value, contributing to increasing the income of Quichua families living in Pasouluk, an impoverished area.
✳︎Quality education
This region, located deep in the mountains of a tropical rainforest, faces challenges in educating children.
Because adult income is very low, educational opportunities for children are poor compared to other regions. Securing a future source of income will contribute to improving the educational environment for children.
✳︎Clean water and hygiene
Sanitary water use is an issue in this area, which lacks clean water and sewage systems, but wild cacao will become a source of income in the future, which will help introduce new sanitation facilities.
✳︎Decent, good jobs and economic growth
In this area, far from cities and markets, the project aims to utilize the rich virgin forest, rather than harming it, and contribute to the creation of jobs that provide a continuous income.
✳︎Reducing inequality
The Ecuadorian Quichuan people, the guardians of the forest, have long suffered from political and economic inequality, but the future commercialization of wild cacao from their rich virgin forests will first help them economically. It can contribute to reducing
inequality.
✳︎Sustainable towns and local communities
By securing a source of income while protecting virgin forests, more people in the community will have jobs and income, and as a result, the community will contribute to better and sustainable development.
✳︎Produce and consume responsibly
This initiative allows us to secure income from virgin forests without harming nature, providing a sustainable chocolate raw material. It is possible to provide chocolate that Japanese consumers can eat while contributing to rainforest conservation.
✳︎Countermeasures against climate change
The virgin forests of Ecuador’s rainforests play a globally important role in carbon sequestration. By planting 6,000 trees in areas without trees, we will help regenerate the forest starting from those trees. The amount of carbon stored in a primeval forest is about 330 tons per hour, but if it is cleared and turned into a monoculture farm, the amount of carbon accumulated will drop to about 80 tons, as evidenced by the data.Tropical forest conservation and the social economy that can use tropical forests as a source of income are important. It is important to create a system, and this project contributes to both of these.
✳︎Protecting life on land
Ecuador’s tropical forests are biodiversity hotspots. Contribute to protecting the habitats of diverse flora and fauna through tropical forest conservation and forest expansion. Anteaters, butterflies, monkeys, agoutis, deer, wild boars, Andean rockbirds, toucans, turkeys, and squirrels can be seen in the active area, while jaguars, pumas, and bears can be found in the adjacent national park.
✳︎Peaceful and just society
Indigenous peoples have been left out of the center of politics around the world, but on the other hand, data shows that 80% of the planet’s biodiversity is held in areas that are protected by only 5% of the world’s indigenous peoples. Preserving the rights of indigenous peoples, increasing their income, and protecting virgin forests are all important themes, and this project will contribute to that.
✳︎Working together for a goal
While conducting business centered on community members and indigenous agricultural associations, if there are people from Japan who wish to volunteer, we will conduct a tour of Ecuador and promote international cooperation.
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NGO Mama No Amazonia
NGO Mama Noa Amazonia aims to “conserve the rich tropical
rainforest” and “create a society where family farmers who practice Ecuador’s Amazon Chakra farming method (a world agricultural heritage site) can live with peace of mind and smiles.” It was established in 2024 mainly by members who have been working with indigenous Quichua people in the Amazon region of Ecuador for over 10 years. (NPOs are currently applying)
In the Ecuadorian Amazon, indigenous people practice a traditional forest farming method called the Amazon Chakra System (certified as a World Agricultural Heritage Site by the United Nations FAO), producing a wide variety of crops and conserving the rainforest.
By supporting family farmers in the Chakra system of the Ecuadorian Amazon while keeping an eye on global issues, we aim to create a positive cycle that increases incomes for indigenous people, strengthens communities, protects rights, and conserves tropical forests. Our activities are aimed at supporting. We hope that activities at the local level will be carried out in regions around the world and that the mutual exchange of wisdom and examples will lead to solutions to global issues. We would be happy if you could become our partner.
* NGO Mamano Amazonia * Website https://mamano-amazonia.org/ Email info@mamano-amazonia.org
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