The hand -made chocolate factory in the heart of the Amazon transformed the reality of the Refresh Communities on the island of Combo, without removing the forests from one tree in Para, about 15 minutes from Billim.
Work is an example of how the vital economy transfers facts and developed by Dona Nena, a farmer on the banks of the river and the businesswoman, which turns cocoa cocoa in the woods into a source of income and sustainability.
The “Combo daughter” initiative started in the backyard of Barra. Today, it gained great dimensions, enhances tourism in the region, and conquers the world through organic chocolate.
“When I started with this work, I wanted to generate income and improve the quality of my community’s life, because it was very difficult. At that time we had no fruits, we needed to leave the island to work in the city. Today we were able to change that,” Donna Nina said.
The cultivation model practiced by its respect for the Amazon biological diversity. Cocoa grows alongside other fruit trees, such as ACAI, CuPuaçu and Banana, without the need to remove forests.
“Here you will not find the traditional cocoa farm. Our cocoa is inserted into the forest, and nourishes it,” explained.
The impact of the project exceeds the production of chocolate. Currently, more than 60 restaurants on the island benefit from tourism that originated with the area’s securing. In addition, two Barqueiros cooperatives have been created to meet the increasing demand for visitors.
The initiative of the initiative caught the world’s attention. In 2024, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and President of France, Emmanuel MacronThey visited Donna Nina’s property to learn about this Amazon wealth.
“It was one of the biggest recognition of my work.
S. to It is the largest cocoa producer in Brazil, and annually earns about 150,000 tons of almonds. Currently, 95 % of production is exported, but the state seeks to unify itself as a high -quality chocolate production center.
Donna Nina’s story and its contribution to the Amazon biological economy acquires more important with an approach Cop30Which will be held in Pelim.
The World Climate Change Conference will bring to the discussion initiative center like it, which combines environmental preservation and economic development.
“In the beginning, I didn’t know what a biological economy is, but I really did. Today, I know our work could be a model for the whole world,” he said.
