This project is run by the small agroextractive producers of Chapada das Mesas region, in the municipality of Carolina, in Maranhão state. They are organized in the Small Farmer Agroextractivist Association of Carolina-? AAPPC. Around 22 families benefit from the project.

The objective is to encourage development of a sustainable regional model through ecological actions that use local land cultivation practices and wild collection. The products will be sold under the FrutaSã brand in Carolina.
Specific objectives are:
? To make a rapid participative diagnosis about agroextractive potential and use of natural resources by the local community of Serra da Mesa region.
? To participatively analyze the diagnosis
? To develop a Plan for Use of Natural Resources and Agro-extractive Activities in the Serra da Mesa region
? To produce and distribute seedlings of native and exotic fruit species
? Densify productive areas with fruit species to enhance participation of local rural communities of Carolina in the supply of raw materials to FrutaSã, and also help the conservation of biodiversity.
? To disseminate agroextractive practices to local rural communities, emphasizing traditional knowledge.
? To organize production through the strengthening and incentive of Cerrado fruit processing and marketing.

The Project is located in an area of intense agricultural expansion, deforestation and construction of hydroelectric power stations, threatening Cerrado biodiversity and the livelihood of local families. However, in 2005 the Chapada das Mesas National Park, with 160,000 hectares, was created to protect part of the Cerrado biome in the region.

The AAPPC has been a Cerrado Fruits project partner for ten years. This project aims at regional development of indigenous and rural communities of northern Tocantins and southern Maranhão states, while helping to generate income for the Wyty-Catë Timbira Indigenous Groups? Association, by collecting, processing and selling Cerrado native fruit pulp under the FrutaSã brand. The AAPC also received financial support from SGP Brazil between 1996 and 1998, while working with Cerrado extractive product processing; producing sweets and soap.

The main expected results are:
? Development of a Plan for Use of Natural Resources and Agro-extractive Activities of Chapada das Mesas region;
? Increased agroextractive production through plantation of native and exotic fruit seedlings in gardens, cleared areas and in the Cerrado.
? Strengthened associativism in Chapada das Mesas region.

The lack of organization and mobilization capacity of involved communities and the negative effects of Estreito Hydroelectric Station, which is under construction in Tocantins River and will flood AAPPC?s greenhouse and many harvest areas, are difficulties they will face to reach those results.