SAVING AN ENDANGERED PALM BY FARMING IT
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Close to the home Emerson Miranda and Viviane Vieira Lopes share with their children grows a dense forest dotted with 400 endangered juçara palm trees, many of which are more than 50 years old. The couple works together to harvest the palmâs fruit. First, they hang a net under the crown of the palm. Next, they hoist a ladder up against the slender trunk. Emerson carefully climbs up to the thick bunches of blueberry-like fruit, hoping theyâre ripe. Every bunch harvested means one palm stays standing. Â
âSaving the juçara from extinction, generating income for family farmers.â This is the mantra that carries Emerson through his day.