The Cerrado, the typical vegetation covering a large part of central Brazil, has similar characteristics to African and Australian savannahs but with greater biodiversity and lushness. Included among its numerous plant species is the Baru (Dipterys alata Vox), a woody, leguminous, large tree with fruit that matures in September and October and contains a delicate-tasting almond called the Castanha de Baru.
The castanha can be toasted, acquiring a taste similar to peanuts or cashews or used naturally in the preparation of typical sweets made with cane sugar and milk like Pé-de-Moleque and Paçoquinha. The oil extracted from the Baru nut is used to flavor local dishes or as a treatment for rheumatism. The nut has high nutritional value and is rich in protein and, if preserved correctly, is capable of maintaining its nutritional characteristics and taste qualities for a period of approximately three months.
The tree is also used in reforestation programs, thanks to its fast growth rate, resistance to very dry climates and high quality wood. Commercial harvesting of the trees for their sought-after wood and the spread of intensive cereal and soybean monocultures has lead to the Baruzeiro’s gradual disappearance from the Cerrado.
The presidium was launched in the state of Goiás, near Brasilia and the Federal District. Here, several communities dedicate themselves to collecting, toasting and marketing the Baru nut, a traditional component in the rural population’s diet and particularly loved by children who like to hide from the heat under the shade of the Baruzeiro. In particular, the area surrounding the city of Pienópolis, which is historically tied to the product, has recently launched several projects to protect and enhance the profile of the Baru. These grassroots initiatives are led by local producers and have become the guiding influence for activities carried out by two urban organizations, the ADCC (Associação de Desenvolvimento Comunitário do Caxambu) and CENESC (Centro de Estudos e Exploração Sustentável do Cerrado).
The former operates in the region of Caxambu, approximately 30 km from Pirenópolis, and involves five families that collect, process and sell the nut and its derivative products. CENESC acts to unite groups of farmers, researchers and environmentalists who support environmental conservation of the region and are interested in sustainable techniques for managing and utilizing the Cerrado’s resources. In 2003, CENESC launched the area’s most important initiative, which involved 150 families from seven communities in a sustainable harvesting program for Baru.

The Presidium
The presidium is developping in 3 communities in the municipality of Pirenopolis – Caxambu, Bom Jesus and Santo Antonio – in collaboration with CENESC and ADCC. The foremost value of the two associations has been in making the local population aware that this poor product has the potential to become an important economic resource, and, at the same time, that using it sustainably can play a fundamental role in preserving the integrity of the region.
The Baruzeiro, along with other fruits native to the Cerrado, is an object of study, research and experimentation at the Embrapa Cerrado (Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture Research Division). The presidium intends to improve processing and conservation techniques for castanha – developing the necessary infrastructure to obtain a good final product – and to support the three communities promoting the Baru both on a local and on an international level.

Production area
Caxambu, Santo Antonio e Bom Jesus communities, Municipality of Pirenópolis, Goiás State, Center west

Presidium supported by
Veneto Regional Authority

With the patronage of
Brazilian Ministry of Agricultural Development