Camu camu: a conservation and development issue in Peru.
By Jim Penn

Camu camu (Myrciaria spp.)
Camu camu is a small tree native to wetlands of the Amazon Basin. It is especially abundant in Peruvian Amazonia. Though very high in vitamin C, until recently, camu camu was used almost exclusively in Peru as fish bait and a convenient source of firewood when dead. The fruit is now popular in drinks, popsicles, candy and even cosmetics. Trees of this genus can also grow to be very large (E.g., the "shahuinto" variety). Camu camu fruit pulp is exported from Peru, with most of it going to Japan.

Since most M. dubia has at least 2700mg of ascorbic acid per 100 grams of fruit, this small tree has been planted in experimental agroforestry systems since the 1960s. Some ribereños were also planting it on their own because it soon had a demand in urban markets. Large-scale planting has now begun throughout the region due to the current export of the fruit. However, the results of recent planting programs have often been poor.

Many NGO projects have been overly concerned about signing up large numbers of people and quickly planting fields in order to impress funding agencies and governments with the number of plants and participants. Meanwhile, poor execution of the projects and a lack of proper field maintenance have limited fruit production from projects with communities in the region of Loreto. At the same time, the harvesting of wild camu camu has increased in intensity.

There is concern over how much harvesting the wild stands can endure. Fish, such as the large Colossoma macropomum ("gamitana", "tambaqui") feed on the fruits, and they have disappeared from places where camu camu fruit is no longer available to them. Sustained and equitable programs are needed to assist the people with the cultivation and management of camu camu. Unfortunately, discrimination against rural people of the Amazon frequently ruins conservation and development plans.

In spite of the current situation, there is reason to be optimistic. Camu camu is relatively easy to cultivate, and by six years can bring excellent returns. If prices for the fruit remain high, more rural people will dedicate their time and efforts to growing camu camu. As is the case with "aguaje" (Mauritia flexuosa ), camu camu is becoming an important component of floodplain agroforestry systems in the region of Loreto, Peru. Meanwhile, there is a need to improve extension work, as well as access to processing facilities and markets.