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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

VERSTA (NPO)

Restoring and conserving by supporting the spread of Jussara palm (Euterpe edulis) agroforestry in Brazil's Atlantic Forest

Activity grant

Project Description

93% of Brazil's Atlantic Forest, which is a VERSTA support site, has been cut down due to reclamation efforts, and only 7% of the forest area remains. Meanwhile, Jussara palm, which grows in the Atlantic Forest, is being illegally harvested for use as high-selling heart of palm (a luxury salad ingredient). For this reason, UNESCO has recognized the Atlantic Forest as a World Heritage Site, and the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment has designated Jussara palm as an endangered species in order to prevent illegal harvesting. This project therefore aims to introduce agroforestry (AF) efforts focused on the Jussara palm in the Atlantic Forest to support the spread of sustainable environmental conservation-based ariculture that does not rely upon illegal harvesting. [No. K19-0013]

Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund FY2019 Activity Grants List (PDF 470KB)

Fields
Ecosystems and the Symbiotic Society
Grant year
FY2019 Activity Grants
Grant term
3 years (April 2020 - March 2023)
Grant amount
¥4,500,000
Activity region
São Paulo, Brazil
An environmental study session about Jussara palm agroforestry

Overview of the Organization

Representative: Yoshikazu Onose
Project organization
VERSTA (NPO)
Representative
Chairman: Toru Tanaka
Establishment
2009
Establishment Purpose
VERSTA seeks to support the spread of agroforestry activities in Brazil's Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) and strives for sustainable and global environmental conservation through the regeneration and preservation of native forests which aid in the absorption of CO2.
Recent Activities
In order to achieve its founding purpose and promote the United Nations SDGs, VERSTA is engaged in the following activities:
  1. The organization of charity concerts to support agroforestry (Agroforestry Aid)
  2. The distribution of musical content to support agroforestry (AF Music Distribution)
  3. Support for the establishment of agroforestry cultivation methods and the expansion of Jussara palm agroforestry cultivation models
  4. Support for the commercialization of agroforestry-based fruit products (in order to realize high added value)
  5. Support for the sustainable continuity of activities conducted by NPOs seeking to support agroforestry
Staff
Number of Full-time employees: 1 / Number of Part timers: 3 / Number of Members: 18(Supporting 1 company)
WEB site
https://www.versta.org/
Voice of Representative
I want to contribute to the prevention of global warming by prevent illegal harvesting and supporting reforestation!