Palmeira do sertão: caracterização da cadeia produtiva do licuri (Syagrus coronata Martius Beccari) em regiões da Bahia

Abstract

The licuri (Syagrus coronata Martius Beccari) is an endemic palm tree of the Caatinga biome from which raw material is extracted for the production of: cosmetics, handicrafts, flour, sweets, oils and beverages. National production is basically concentrated in states in the Northeast region, mainly in Bahia. Due to the cultural and economic relevance that licuri represents for the semiarid region, this study aims to characterize the licuri production chain in two regions of Bahia. The study was carried out in the Center-South and Center-North regions of the State of Bahia, using the survey of primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected through interviews with key informants linked to the licuri production chain (farmers, extractivists, market traders, leaders of associations and cooperatives), using a simplified script of questions. Secondary data were collected on the following bases: Vegetal Extraction and Forestry Production (PEVS) and Agricultural Census, from the Brazilian Institute of Statistical Geography (IBGE); Brazilian Foreign Trade (COMEX); Bahia State Department of Agriculture (SEAGRI-BA). The primary and secondary data were individually systematized to allow the analysis and characterization of the licuri production chain in each region studied, and then compared and represented in the form of tables, graphs and flowcharts. Comparingthe production chain of the two regions, in both techniques adopted by extractors are not a threat to the licuri culture, it was observed that the Center-North Region has a more consolidated chain, with a greater production in weekly kilograms of fruit, it receives promotion of the state government, it has a greater variety of products from licuri, while a production chain developed in the Center-South region, it was found that it is in fact more fragile, offering less variety of products, however, it has the potential to become organized and consolidated to receive development from Bahia Productiva for a chain of oilseeds, although there is a possibility of development, further studies are needed in order to enable a xerophilic crop and collection of new information on the potential of Syagrus coronatawith its numerous uses, products and by-products.