At a Glance
Location: Amazonas, Brazil
Impact Areas: Labor Inclusion, Environment, Sustainable Income
People Supported:
Small-Scale Farmers, Rural
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2021
Overview
Based in Maués, Amazonas, CooperSapó (previously known as Associação Comunitária Agrícola do Rio Urupadi (“ASCAMPA”)) is a community association that aims to improve the livelihoods of local smallholder farming families, many of whom are of indigenous ancestry.
CooperSapó’s main product is the Guaraná seed, a native Amazonian superfood known for its energy-boosting benefits. Rich in caffeine, vitamins, and antioxidants, Guaraná is widely consumed by Brazilians today in soft and energy drinks. Records of the Guaraná seeds can be traced to the Sateré-Mawé indigenous people, who relied on the plant as a natural medicine and stimulant for centuries.
CooperSapó trains its farmers to dry, package, and deliver Guaraná seeds to a large beverage corporation in Maués, as well as to local partners that mills the seeds to sell as a superfood powder. The association's role eliminates the middlemen and allows farmers to take more ownership of the commercial process. CooperSapó also encourages farmers to adopt agroforestry techniques and transition towards organic practices. The social enterprise negotiates contracts on behalf of the associate farmers and leverages this collective representation to seek higher prices for their products, bringing dignified incomes to the farmers.
Today, CooperSapó is one of the largest producers of Guaraná seeds in the Maués region. The social enterprise has received a number of certifications for its high production standards that also protect local biodiversity, differentiating its products from those of other local producers.
Results & Impact
11
Maués communities impacted
37%
farmers supported are women
46
families supported
“Guarana is a very important source of income for indigenous people in the Amazon. CooperSapó has seen tremendous growth in the past two years and has consolidated its presence in the guarana value chain. ”
NESsT Investment
In an effort to modify its farmer’s production process to meet international organic standards, CooperSapó has helped seven of its farmers gain organic certification, and is offering training to 35 more.
NESsT’s investment will support CooperSapó to invest in equipment and supplies for organic production. A portion of NESsT’s financial support will also be used to advance payments to farmers. Without the need to cope with immediate harvesting costs, farmers can use the money to improve their production capacity and standard and sell their products at higher prices.
CooperSapó also has plans to acquire new certifications and expand its product lines to agroforestry products. The additional working capital will support CooperSapó to centralize and more efficiently manage inventories.
