From Fish to Wild Berries: The Shift in Socioeconomic Strategy in a Protected Area of the Chiquitania Region in Bolivia

The Laguna Marfil Municipal Integrated Natural Management Area is home to the largest lagoon in the Chiquitanía region and 12 Chiquitano indigenous communities. Fishing was the main local livelihood, but droughts and fires made fishing more difficult and increased pressure from deforestation. Among alternatives involving non-timber forest products, the mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) stood out—an abundant species with exceptionally flavorful fruit, though fragile and perishable. To harness its potential, harvesting, processing, and promotional trials were conducted in high-end restaurants to generate commercial demand; subsequently, a fully equipped processing facility with a photovoltaic system for refrigeration was built. An inclusive, cooperative venture involving harvesters has been established. The results are significant on ecological, economic, and social levels. Fire prevention and control have improved, dozens of families participate in the harvest, and commercial demand exceeds current production capacity.

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