This post was written about a School of Business course on sustainable economic development in the Madre Di Dios region of Peru.
Our group from Manhattan College– day seven of our trip and still in awe from their trip to breathtaking Machu Picchu and the sacred valley of Peru ventured onto their next journey, four days in Madre di Dios – translated as Mother of God – located in the outskirts of the Amazon rain forest. Seven MBA students, eleven undergraduates, our two amazing professors (Dr. Arora and Dr. Predmore; along with Dr. Predmore’s husband, as well as my husband and our dos ninas (2 daughters) who would join together to explore a land and people that nothing could have prepared us for.
This was where the tourism stopped and research intensified for my fellow MBA students. We would conduct a pilot scoping study to identify the economic benefits of conservation related activities for stakeholders in the Madre de Dios region. Our mission – to identify opportunities to provide livelihood sustainability with low barriers to entry while still maintaining the cultures of the people and preserving the beauty of their land and environment.
As we doused ourselves in large quantities of DEET bug spray and ventured into this new foreign land, we were not sure what to expect as our imaginations ran wild. Collectively we were diverse — some of us have never been out of the country, I myself have been to 77 countries, but this area and its people were unlike anything any of us had ever seen. The area our hotel was located in was more city than anticipated with sidewalks, storefronts, and traffic lights (that only occasionally worked). Zooming and honking as we darted across the bustling streets were tuk tuks (local taxis) and motos filled with families (sometimes as large as four, and the occasional puppy). Interwoven amongst the city landscapes in a rare and beautiful juxtaposition were flora and fauna influences trickling in from the “jungle” — better known as the Amazon Rain Forest — and friendly and lazy cats and dogs having a siesta amongst the city’s noise.
While few members of our group spoke fluent or intermediate Spanish, many did not — but were able to get by with a kind smile from the extremely friendly locals who mostly spoke Spanish, Portuguese, or a native dialect. We wondered if this would impact the ability for the locals to trust us and open up to us during our upcoming interview process, site visits and tours. Would they feel intimidated by a room/bus filled with strangers to their community and land who did not share a common language? We hoped they would see our true intentions, to learn from them, and help in any way we could.
We had spent the weeks prior conducting research to understand the dynamics of the local forest related activities in Madre de Dios. Our efforts were to understand the incentives motivations, and economic livelihoods the people currently, or in in the future can engage in. Our time here would consist of putting our internet research to the test with reality by meeting the people of Aqua Fish Farmers, Brazil Nut “Castanas”, eco-tourism, agro-forestry and bio commerce.
Our research and theories were extensive, and time limited. We had a mere three days, a few short hours, and a language barrier. We hoped our questions would not get lost in translation. Our goals were lofty, but what would their answers be, we could only venture to guess as we eagerly anticipated each interview, and tour. Each went beyond our expectations with a warm welcome and willingness to show us every aspect of their livelihoods and some even welcomed us to their homes, and prepared us meals.
We sought to understand how and why local stakeholders depend on and benefit from intact forests, and what it meant to them not only professionally — but personally, and culturally. Using data from the case study and a workshop with representatives of the stakeholders in the area, we would further explore the incentives and motivations to engage in various economic activities and provide an executive summary to help provide observations and perspective from our findings.
We commuted two hours far from the “city” to a remote village in the jungle along with Dr. Josh Fisher and Michelle Leppert of AC4, Columbia University, and two advisors from the La Asociación para la Conservación de la Cuenca Amazonica — an NGO who works closely with many of the people we met.
During our time at the fish farms we learned they often had multiple jobs (usually substantive farming of local produce such as pineapples, bananas, and cacao etc.). Many had 2-5 ponds, but they were working their way to having 10 or more ponds. This achievement would create for them a sustainable livelihood.
They explained their hard work and efforts were so they could afford to take care of their families and purchase school supplies for their children’s education (even with two jobs they were not always able to unfortunately). It was in that moment many of us felt compelled to have a fundraiser to send them some school supplies while they furthered their efforts. Just as our College is founded in the principals of La Salle, the patron saint of teachers who found himself called to serve the poor and disadvantaged, specifically children, whose lack of access to education was perpetuating poverty. We too hoped we can assist stakeholders in the region identify short and long term livelihood solutions.
The aqua fish farmers discussed their desire to afford refrigerated trucks to be able to export their fish to further points across Peru and beyond. There was pride in their eyes as they discussed their ponds, and hope in their future. At one point they broke out in laughter, to some words I could not quite decipher. It turns out it was a marriage proposal, and the older lady offered to cook a feast…we all shared a good laugh with our new found friends. They were warm and kind, and it was an honor to be invited to their homes to see their work in person.
On the way to their village we took a small bus two hours in each direction. The towns were humble, and it was an interesting comparison to see the deforestation, and growing rise of mining, and litter which was rapidly expanding side by side to the very land the people we met with considered sacred and were trying so desperately to preserve for their families and future generations.
They walked us through their towns, welcoming us with their entire families and some even preparing a feast of the local fish they grow — Paco, freshly picked Yucca, and juice — all muy delicioso (very delicious!). As we drove home for two hours in the darkness of the forest under the night sky of a thousand glistening stars, my mind wandered to our final goodbye — I will never forget the faces of their families, standing from the various communities sending us off with hugs and kisses, asking us not to forget about them. I know none of us ever will.
There is a huge opportunity in Aqua Fish Farming- 1 Hectare of Forest Land can yield 500 kilos of meat, but 1 hectare of fish ponds can yield as many as 8,000 kilos of fish! The following day we were able to meet IIAP Institution of Investigation of Amazonian Peru, (in partnership with Wake Forest University, and a University in Rio De Jairo Brazil) who leverages technology and research to perfect the conditions, costs and benefits for the Aqua fish farmers of Peru. At their facility, they conducted research to 1) reduce the cost of fish meal while increasing the quality, 2) increase life expectancy of fish through finding ideal pond conditions and fending off predators, and 3) test toxins and mercury in the environment, waters, fish and people which is extremely critical and will provide great help for locals in their efforts. They added it would be extremely helpful if researchers like us can help with knowledge and support.
We also had the great pleasure of witnessing one of the other local treasures — the Brazil Nuts, or Castañas. We walked through the entire supply chain — seeing the tall ancient 300-year-old trees they were harvested from when the pods fall like fruit from the heavens. The harvesters spend three months collecting them and then carry them to facilities via river, motorcycle or vehicle. The most popular method being the waters of Madre di Dios. IIAP is also conducting first ever research to take rapidly growing seedlings and graph them on to aging trees. With their help, these trees can then go from producing half a sack of brazil nuts to becoming “high producers” of up to two sacks – 4 times more than average! As my career for the past 12 years has been in technology, I love seeing the merging of tech and environment to better the community.
Subsequently, we visited a facility which showed the process of drying, pressurizing and deshelling them. I was pleasantly surprised to hear 85% of the workers were single mothers who they employed and gave flexible hours so they can have a steady salary and flexibility to support their families. As a mother of two girls (aged 3 and 1) I was most excited to hear that sort of support of women and mothers in need- providing them not only income but work life balance and integration, as well as a critical focus on the importance of family.
Many of the castaña workers, regardless of the part of the cycle they were involved in, also had to supplement their income with additional incomes such as farming etc. to supplement their livelihoods and support their families. Every restaurant we visited had some incorporation of castañas, from Castaña Salsa (Brazilian Nut Sauce) on their dishes, tasty additions in their chocolates bars, even as a flavor of ice cream! They had so much pride in their national products, and made sure to incorporate every element into their daily lives.
The President of the shelling facility and member associations expressed many of the members of the Brazil Nut Association(s) desire to also grow their supply chain and gain various types of certifications- fair trade, green, organic, and a newer concept reflecting where exactly the product was grown and a QR code; conceptually so you can actually come and meet the person who grew/harvested your product and see the process as we did, in a modern form of bio- commerce meets eco-tourism.
Eco-tourism is one of the most trending discussions for potential income discussed by local Peruvians. After our analysis, we determined it would only be sustainable if it was not solely dependent on other countries disposable income, but rather combined with some of the aforementioned more sustainable livelihoods. The long term goal of ideal eco-tourism in Peru was to bring elements of the primary forest out to other locations so people can visit, learn, and appreciate its beauty and importance.
We did find the ideal version of this when we visited a local named Victor – owner of Fundo Refugi K’erenda Homet- a conservation forest he created to replicate the Amazon rainforest originated in 1986 and most recently awarded by National Geographic. Raised alongside local indigenous tribes he dreamed of being surrounded by the flora, fauna and animals of the rainforest and created this tropical paradise through the work of his own hands. He purchased a deforested 40-hectare pasture which did not have one tree left, and got to work. Over 30 years, his hard work has resulted in 20,000 trees. In the last 7 years he introduced 4,000 types of flowers and plants, which is simply astounding. Each year he educates 800- 1000 students to come learn about the true value of the environment and promote the education for future generations. We left with our mind filled with information and hearts filled with wonder and thanks.
We learned Peru is one of the world’s 17 mega diverse countries, and thus bio-commerce is therefore extremely important. Foods made by the locals from Madre di Dios (from castañas to Amazonian Fruits, Infused drinks, Medicinal Juices and more…). There are seven principals of bio commerce:
1. Conservation of Bio Diversity
2. Sustainable use of Bio Diversity
3. Equitable Distribution of Resources
4. Economic Sustainability
5. Fulfillment of International Laws
6. Respect of Rights
7. Clarity of Land Ownership
Of which, there are three principal areas of focus 1) Adaption- realizing any action or change creates a “butterfly effect” of changing everything else, and you will need to adapt. 2) Creation of Value, not just economic but keeping track of every step of the supply chain and creating fair trade and living wages 3) Cognizant of environmental impact- that every action you take affects: flora, fauna and humanity.
Peru, Columbia, and Ecuador have taken part in bio-commerce since 2004, and since then 64 organizations have moved towards bio-commerce. The idea is to arrive at a point where more organizations know about and strive to fill out these principals. Through doing so, they hope to promote buyer and seller knowing each other so the buyer knows the impact of price for the seller, and are transparent with each other. Some interesting concepts that still have some complexity include placing monetary value on what many would consider priceless ancestral knowledge. Another complication is clarity of land ownership, which we learned is not always so clear cut. Nevertheless, through this practice the community can better know the eco system, practice agro forestry and provide a sustainable use of natural resources. We did our part by purchasing and taste testing all of the local products from ice cream to chocolate (a tough job, but somebody had to do it). 
The undergrads may have had some thrilling experiences with Canopy Tours amongst the tree tops of the Amazon Rain Forest, but we MBA’s spent our time marveled on the ground researching the amazing people of Peru, and what better way to learn? Our Field work allowed our Jasper MBA team to research and gain firsthand experience and knowledge about the people, events, and processes that we have been studying. No other method offers quite the same kind of close-up lens on everyday life, it’s complexities and its intricacies.
At the end of the trip we discovered that although there were clear differences between us- language, livelihoods, socio economic differences… we were more alike than we were different. They were part of a family, and a community which they loved, and they did their very best to provide a better life for the generation which came after them. Although they had so little, they gave so much — and we could learn from them in this way. Their spirit of welcome, kindness, and gratitude was beyond measure and as I looked into the eyes of each of the warm people and the sweet children I knew without a doubt this was more than a class—this was a chance to help a group of people, a chance to make a difference in their lives and I and each of my classmates are so thankful for the opportunity to learn from them and hopefully contribute to change their lives as they have forever changed ours.
As this is my first MBA class with my Alma Mater, I am extremely happy to have had the true Manhattan College Lasallian experience- being able to pursue business and economic class with a soul. Our Lasallian community is built on this commitment to education, to generosity of spirit, and of the power of education to change lives. Dr. Arora, and all our professors, have been such incredible mentors for such ethical business. Throughout this journey, everyone we spoke with truly cared- not only about the business, but helping give back to the communities, and preserve the environment which we researched to serve. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of such incredible efforts to see even myself and our fellow University Students can help change the world. We can see hope in helplessness, as St. John Baptist De La Salle said, “Remembering that God is with you will help and inspire you in all that you do”. Certain things cannot only be learned in a text book, and it is a true privilege to belong to a school who embodies this belief in every class that you participate in, and stays in your heart long after you graduate. In the essence of Gandhi—Together, we Jaspers, can help be the change we wish to see.
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