The Jequitinhonha Valley region, in Northeastern Minas Gerais, is where the municipality of Araçuaí is located, one of the poorest regions in the country, with lowest human development indices. However, its population is essentially made up of traditional local communities, with much knowledge accumulated over the years about sustainable use of biodiversity resources. There is, nonetheless, much need for implementation of projects and public policy aimed at sustainable development, generation of income and improved quality of life for the population.
The objective of the project is improving the quality of primary health care coverage performed by community groups in Mid Jequitinhonha, by means of sustainable use of native Cerrado medicinal plants. Among expected results, the following stand out: development of criteria for the practice of popular medicine using medicinal plants and identification of strategies for transmission and protection of traditional knowledge associated with Cerrado biodiversity. Some examples of specific objectives are presented next: improved quality-control for medicine made with Cerrado medicinal plants produced in the Health Corner (Cantinho da Saúde), located in the Araçuaí municipality seat; capacity-building of representatives of community groups on topics of good phytotherapeutical preparation practices; and improved infra-structure for the community pharmacy. Results may influence public policy aimed at community use of medicine made out of medicinal plants