In Bolivia’s Amazonian department of Pando, communities are cultivating coffee, açaí, Brazil nuts, and other forest fruits beneath the natural canopy, demonstrating an approach to production that preserves the forest while sustaining families, biodiversity, and local culture. This model of forest-friendly livelihoods was highlighted during a joint UN visit in October to the communities of Londres 2, El Chorro, and Santa Fe in the municipalities of Filadelfia and Porvenir. Led by UN Resident Coordinator Anna Pont, the visit brought together four UN agencies to observe and learn how the AMAS-1 programme—Strengthening Sustainable Food Systems in the Bolivian Amazon for Living Well and in Harmony with Mother Earth—is helping families build resilient livelihoods with financial support from the Joint SDG Fund.
In Londres 2, smallholder families are reshaping their future through cooperation and care for the land. Benedicto Sandóval, a former mechanic who arrived in Pando in 2012, became a forest farmer and community leader, contributing to the development of local infrastructure including a school, communal spaces, and home gardens. Coffee production has improved dramatically, with prices rising from barely two bolivianos per kilo to around 30 bolivianos per kilo, providing families with steady income. Training from FAO and other partners has introduced sustainable land management practices, replacing harmful burning techniques and supporting soil and forest health, while AMAS-1 continues to strengthen livelihoods and working conditions for producers.
In El Chorro, Brazil nut collection is central to family incomes, with women leading much of the work. Marcia Zela Tuno, president of the local Brazil Nut Collectors’ Association, is guiding efforts to regain certification and access better markets. With AMAS-1 support, the association has improved storage facilities, safety measures, and collection processes, demonstrating how conservation and economic opportunity can advance together. Women’s leadership in forest-based production strengthens both community organization and household resilience.
Santa Fe, a small community in the municipality of Porvenir, relies on agroforestry systems for coffee, cacao, citrus, and plantain production under forest cover. Families have long faced challenges with marketing and pricing, but AMAS-1 is providing training in financial education, food safety, and business skills, enabling producers to understand costs and set fair prices. Community members, including young women like Jaquelin, are actively promoting sustainable coffee production, showing that agroforestry can provide both economic benefits and environmental stewardship while fostering learning and empowerment.
