In the northern Amazon of Bolivia, the community of El Chorro, located three hours from Cobija in the department of Pando, lives by the rhythm of the Amazon nut. This forest fruit sustains the local economy and shapes the identity of families who have depended on its harvest for generations. Among them is Marcia Zela Tuno, president of the El Chorro Amazon Nut Collectors Association. Her story reflects the resilience of the forest and the leadership of women who safeguard its future.
El Chorro recently welcomed Anna Pont, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bolivia, who visited the community to better understand local priorities and hear directly from the women and families who sustain the region’s forest based economy. Marcia guided much of the visit and shared how generations of harvesters have protected both the forest and their cultural heritage.
Marcia was born a short distance from the centre of the community. She and her siblings represent the second generation raised within the tradition of the harvest season known as zafra, which runs from December to March. During these months, families collect the nuts that fall naturally from trees that can reach more than forty metres in height.
Her knowledge of harvesting, cracking and processing the nut is not only a livelihood. It is a commitment she carries with pride and one she shares with her children.
“My children know where they come from. They understand how we work with the harvest because this is our main source of life.”
Two of her four children now study at universities outside the community, yet they return every year to support the harvest. The work is demanding and requires precision. Families search for mature pods on the forest floor, carry them in baskets, crack them open with machetes and store the seeds in wooden shelters to protect them from humidity and preserve their quality.
The harvest also brings risks such as accidental cuts, snake bites or falling branches. These challenges encouraged the community to organize and strengthen their practices.
Building a Safer and More Sustainable Future
Through their association, El Chorro began certifying their Amazon nuts and formalizing organic collection practices that protect the rainforest. They improved their tools and introduced better manufacturing processes. Another important step was the maintenance of forest paths used during the harvest.
“We no longer carry heavy loads the way we used to. Now we can use motorbikes or small vehicles to transport the nuts. It makes everything easier.”
During the Resident Coordinator’s visit, Marcia explained how these practical improvements have reduced risks and increased income. What began as a safety measure has grown into a wider vision for sustainability.
Strengthening Resilience with AMAS 1
The joint programme titled "Strengthening Sustainable Food Systems in the Bolivian Amazon to live Well and in Harmony with Mother Earth (AMAS-1)", supported by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by WFP, FAO, ILO and IFAD together with the Government of Bolivia, plays a key role in this transformation. Its purpose is to strengthen food production systems rooted in traditional agriculture with a focus on women and youth across Amazonian communities.
AMAS 1 helps families diversify their livelihoods through training in green jobs, financial education and sustainable agroforestry. It also promotes better working conditions and climate resilient production.
For Marcia, the benefits are already visible.
“AMAS 1 is a great opportunity. Families are learning to produce more of their own food such as bananas, maize, cassava and rice. This will improve nutrition in our homes and help us become more self sufficient.”
