The Babassu Fund and the Inter-State Movement of Babassu Coconut Breakers (MIQCB) – representing some 300,000 rural, mostly Afro-descendant women in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado – are promoting the implementation of three state and 18 municipal “free babassu” laws covering 11 million hectares in the states of Maranhão, Pará, Tocantins and Piauí. The laws protect babassu palms and give women the rights to harvest them anywhere.
Ongoing
From: 01/05/2023
To: 30/04/2028
Budget: US$3,381,316
Proponents: Babassu Fund/The Inter-State Movement of Babassu Coconut Breakers (MIQCB)
Stakeholders: 100 quilombola communities in the states Amazonas, Amapá, and Maranhão
MIQCB represents some 350,000 (mostly Afro-descendent) women babassu coconut breakers in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado. MIQCB will promote the enforcement of three state and 18 municipals “free babassu” laws, which protect babassu palms and give women the rights to harvest them anywhere. These laws cover more than 11 million hectares of babassu forests. MIQCB, in partnership with land governmental agencies, will contribute to titling 17,000 hectares of women’s lands. The MIQCB’s Babassu Fund will channel funds to women’s groups and service providers. Strengthening the fund is a central objective. The project will work principally in 29 municipalities with 1.1 million hectares of babassu forests in the states of Maranhão, Piaui, Tocantins and Pará.
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