Brasília, July 8, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Japonese government plans to finance new projects for the development and preservation of tropical forests in the Amazon. Specialists from the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), an organ linked to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Relations, recently visited various states in the region to identify opportunties for partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Company) in Acre, with headquarters in Rio Branco, may be the first partner in this new round of investments. The company presented the Japanese with two big research projects, for the development of processes and prototypes of medicinal plants and the utilization of by-products of Brazil nuts (seed production, studies of new species, and furniture design on an industrial scale).

According to Embrapa researchers, these products have a great social and environmental impact in the region and represent key instruments to build up the forest economy. "We are awaiting JICA's evaluation of these important projects involving wood and non-wood forest species," informed the general director of Embrapa Acre, Ivandir Soares Campos.

Another development model that attracted the attention of the Japonese was the Reca project, developed by producers in the Nova Califórnia village, in the state of Rondônia. The project combines forest cultivation techniques with building up food processing industries based on cupuaçu, peach palm, and açaí. The sustainable production project currently provides income for over 300 families. (DAS)