Estratégias para aproveitamento dos caroços de açaí descartados no Município de Marituba-Pará a partir da tecnologia social

Abstract

Açaí belongs to the Brazilian Amazonian biodiversity and has been gaining space in the food market both nationally and internationally. The growing demand for açaí contributes significantly to the economy of Pará and guarantees income for individuals in the fruit's production chain. The intensification of production and the growth of consumption leads to the generation of large amounts of waste that are usually disposed of inappropriately, further polluting the environment. The municipality of Marituba has activities that generate a lot of waste, especially the commercialization of açaí pulp. According to information registered with the City Hall, the municipality currently has 228 registered beaters discarded on public roads and inappropriate places. Thousands of organic waste are improperly disposed of daily, as a result of the lack of knowledge about its economic and environmental potential and the efficient, economic and safe use of the product with socioenvironmental profitability. Based on this information and considering the relevance that this research intends to discuss when it comes to the use of açaí seeds, the concept of Social Technology (TS) demonstrates relevant theories with social participation and incentives for development and expansion in the sustainability paradigm. The objective of this research is directed to provide an action plan with strategies for the use of açaí seed residue based on the conceptual framework of social technology. The methodology adopted for this research is the case study, based on quantitative data, collected from institutional informational bases, such as government agencies related to the theme and the Municipality of Marituba, with the objective of explaining, exploring or describing current phenomena inserted in its context itself. The area covered by this study, the Municipality of Marituba-Pará and the action plan designed brings together strategies that articulate the role of local communities and immediately dependent on the commercialization of açaí at the local level and the involvement of the public or private sector as an integral part. This is a pioneering study for the case of Marituba, as it brings together TS as an instrument of inclusion and social participation for this category, which until then has been resorting to municipal action for possible incentives or measures that meet its immediate demands and strengthen the productive daceia of the region fruit.