Chipaota Management Plan Implementation Update
The communal business set up in Chipaota was able to collect 1300 kg of piassaba palm fiber, but INRENA required one of their people to first inspect the harvesting practices before the community was able to take the fibers to market. While INRENA traveled to Chipaota and examined the community harvesting practices, a group from ECOMUSA (Chiapota community business entity) traveled to Chazuta wholesale fiber purchasers in Tarapoto, Peru to begin contract negotiations. On December 23, 2009, the group of community members sold their 1300 kg of piassaba palm fiber for 4 soles per kilo which proved to be double the price previously received when fibers were harvested illegally. Some community members decided to go and buy tools for the production of brooms. The community was able to make four well received brooms using the newly bought tools.
Chipaota Artisan Handicrafts Project Update
Since my last update, I have been working with the community to concentrate on specific designs of smaller size such as bread baskets, placemats, rugs, coaster trays, and other similar items. The artisans are also beginning to explore colors. Using natural dyes found in the forest and farms, the artisans are running tests to identify the specific colors available and raw materials needed to produce these colors. After identification, the artisans will work with an artist who will propose traditional designs matching available colors. In the future, the handcrafts project will offer different designs and color schemes generating a larger diverse product collection.
Lucia
Tags: Lucia Eslava
