Institution responsible: FAPEG – EDMUNDO GASTAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

The subproject Butia Route: Strengthening the Productive Chain of the Butia Palm Associated with the Recovery of Native Vegetation in the Podocarpus State Park Region (Encruzilhada do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul) aims to strengthen the productive chain of the butia palm, associated with the recovery of vegetation native to the Pampa biome and the butia ecosystems in the Podocarpus State Park region, in Encruzilhada do Sul (RS).

The project intends to map in detail the plant formations and land use in the Park region, identifying areas to recover; propose strategies for the restoration of native vegetation inside and around the Park; promote restoration of field areas with the introduction of native herbaceous species and transplantation of butia palms; implement recovery areas for butia palm ecosystems with livestock management; elaborate a monitoring protocol for restoration of butia palms in native fields; verify the storage potential and methods of breaking the dormancy of Butia odorata seeds; carry out research to add value to the butia production chain.

The project also intends to coordinate a network of people interested in the management of livestock for the recovery of butia palms in the region of the Park; carry out training and capacity-building of multipliers in the management of livestock for restoration of butia palms; training actors in the restoration and production chain in techniques for recovering native vegetation, identifying species in remnants, collecting and handling seeds, and producing seedlings of native species. And also disseminate the production of butia seedlings and native species in the field for the recovery of native vegetation; train local communities to organize actors to generate income from butia and other non-timber products from native vegetation and disseminate opportunities for SEMA-RS Certification.