Biotrade, a relatively new concept, is defined like those activities of collection/production, transformation, and commercialisation of goods and services derived from native biodiversity (genetic resources, species and ecosystems), under criteria of environmental, social and economic sustainability. Biotrade activities are framed within the global conservation and development objectives established by the CBD, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).

The programme
The year 2003, the Government of Bolivia, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Government of the Netherlands and the Swiss Confederation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the execution of the Biotrade National Programme (Programa Nacional de Biocomercio Sostenible - PNBS) in Bolivia. In 2005, Friends of Nature Foundation (Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza — FAN) was appointed as Technical Focal Point for the PNBS. The Programme is to facilitate the trade of products and services of native biodiversity, produced with ecologic, social and economic sustainability criteria and thereby to generate income for the country.

The PNBS – Bolivia was designed to alleviate four issues: First, a weak regulatory framework; Second, an underdeveloped market for biodiversity products and services with little added value; Third, difficult access to capital; and Fourth, lack of knowledge among the general public on biotrade and its potential.

The Programme was divided into four components: (1) Strengthening of regulatory framework and implementation capacity; (2) Development of value chains; (3) Financial systems; and (4) Information and training. Activities for each one of these are undertaken using the value chain approach — this involves alliances among producers, processors, distributors, traders, regulatory and support institutions establishing a joint vision in order to develop intervention strategies and priority activities.

15 native biodiversity products
The PNBS has selected 15 native biodiversity products, namely spectacled caiman leather and meat, tegu lizard leather, collared peccary leather, vicuña fiber, woven jatata palm panels, palqui coffee, maca, butterfly chrysalis and pressed butterflies, babasu oil and cosmetics, copaiba balm, majo oil and milk, wild cacao, stingless bee honey, brazil nuts and aromatic herbs.

The biotrade initiatives related with these products, were evaluated in order to verify the fulfilment of the Principles and Criteria. Also, mapping and sector planning workshops were carried out. Both allowed for the identification of different needs and helped define the technical and financial assistance provided by the PNBS to the different actors. These included the development of nature resources management plans, strategic planning, development of business plans, establishment of productive units, field extension activities for ecologic production, recommendations for the implementation of Cleaner Production Measures, support in the application of protocols for Good Manufacturing Practices and market studies.

The Programme promoted the development and updating of different legal instruments that regulate and encourage biotrade at the national level. La maca (Lepidium meyenii), which grows above 3000 m, is cultivated by communities from the Bolivian Andes. It is principally utilized like dietary supplement because of its high energetic and nutritious values. The maca’s value chain involves mainly farmers, laboratories and companies.

The design of a strategic plan for maca’s sector allowed for technical and financial assistance to be provided to the different actors. In this way, 21 communities were trained in organic and ecologic production. The beneficiaries are 250 maca producers connected to three companies. Three new associations of farmers were consolidated to promote more equitable commercial relations with the companies. The three companies are using the strategic and business plans designed by the Programme. Associations and companies have been promoted at international and national fairs.

The journey continues
The processes that have been started with the PNBS intervention are still fragile and the monitoring mechanisms are still being shaped. Nonetheless, it is very encouraging to note that ‘biotrade’ is now part of the Bolivian vocabulary. We need to ensure that biotrade does not get equated simply to the ‘commerce of biodiversity’ but that it maintains its links with ecologic, social and economic sustainability criteria.

Ruth Delgado is Natural Resources Manager of the Biotrade National Programme (PNBS) which is executed by Friends of Nature Foundation (FAN).

See also: BioComercioBolivia.org