Potentialities and use of baru fruit (Dipteryx alata Vog.) in rural settlement, Mato Grosso of Sul State

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the potentialities and use of the Baru fruit (Dipteryx alata Vog.), as an alternative for local development in an area of forest fragments in the domain of Savanna morphoclimatic in Mato Grosso do Sul, where the Andalucia rural settlement is established. From this perspective, the issue of local development in areas of forest fragments in Mato Grosso do Sul State passes, necessarily, through the recovery of native species still present in the region. This was demonstrated during this study and Baru emerges as one of the alternatives in the construction of local sustainability. What we found along the research is encouraging from the point of view of the interest on part of the community of Andalucia settlement, regarding the unity, cooperation and growing interest in search of Baru and its products as an increase in family income, providing better quality of life and, consequently, increased self-esteem and life quality.