Potencial artesanal de las semillas de tres especies de palmas de la tribu Iriarteeae (Arecaceae) en la Reserva Natural Las Palmeras-Cubarral (Meta)

Abstract

Las Palmeras Nature Reserve is located in the municipality of Cubarral, Meta. It has an extension of 250 hectares of natural forest, being the conservation of flora and fauna its main priority, where the yellow-eared parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis (Massena & Souance, 1854) stands out. To carry out conservation measures is It is necessary to look for alternatives, such as the production and commercialization of handicrafts, that generate income to the reserve in order to continue meeting this objective, for which reason, the degree work entitled “Artisanal potential of the seeds of three species of palms the Iriarteeae tribe (Arecaceae) in the Las Palmeras-Cubarral Natural Reserve (Meta) ”. Seeds of the species Wettinia fascicularis, Wettinia praemorsa and Dictyocaryum lamarckianum were collected, which were processed to make four products: key chains, handles, necklaces and earrings. A market study was carried out in which virtual consumer surveys and face-to-face interviews with marketers were conducted, from which information was obtained on the categories of price, quality and interest in said products. From the results obtained from the survey of potential consumers, it is evident that the product that generated the most interest was the necklace. The willingness to pay for handles is between $ 9000 and $ 15000, for key chains is between $ 5000 and $ 7000, earrings between 9000 and 1500 and for necklaces the provision was> $ 15000. The break-even point was projected in three scenarios: For the least favorable scenario, it is required to sell 2,179 units / year and the most favorable is 1,123 units / year. In addition to this, potential consumers were asked about the quality of the seeds and therefore of the products; approximately 55% of the respondents answered that on average the products looked of high quality, and in the case of the necklace,24% of the respondents stated that these presented a very high quality. Marketing margins were calculated showing that the local seller has the highest net marketing margin with 68% and a gross marketing margin of 71%. A benefit / cost analysis was carried out in order to demonstrate that currently the Las Palmeras Nature Reserve does not have the necessary resources to cover the expenses incurred for its operation with a ratio of less than 1, more exactly a value of 0.062; This indicates the need to incorporate alternatives such as the commercialization of handicrafts that allow money to enter the Reserve, the possibility of generating income alternatives for families close to the Reserve, but always guaranteeing the sustainable management of the species that supply the seeds.