In order to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Bahia Southern Lowlands Heart of Palm Producers’ Cooperative (COOPALM), the institution promoted the 1st Heart of Palm Festival from November 14-16. The celebration took place in the city of Igrapiúna and received the support of the Municipal City Government, local institutions and the Odebrecht Foundation, which supports COOPALM.

Participants exchanged experiences related to agricultural topics, and there were musical attractions, performances by cultural groups and drawings for prizes at the event, which gathered approximately 1,500 people. “The seeds that we planted sprouted work, income and quality of life in the rural region,” emphasized Josimar Cícero, Leader of COOPALM.

Leandro Luiz Ramos, Mayor of Igrapiúna, emphasized the message of strengthening family farming and cooperativism. “This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the importance of working together and the commitment we all share for local development,” he said.

The festival featured stands from COOPALM, the Continental Water Aquaculturists’ Cooperative (COOPECON), Forest Cultural Home, Igrapiúna Rural Family Home (CFR-I) and Bahia Southern Lowlands Sustainable Development Institute (IDES). The institutions are part of the Governance Plan implemented by the Bahia Southern Lowlands Environmental Protection Area Mosaic Program for Development and Growth Integrated with Sustainability (PDCIS), supported by the Odebrecht Foundation and public and private partners.