For the Bolivian company of Guaguazú S.A, the sustainable use of the native Cusi Palm is the key to success.

Guaguazú employs mainly indigenous women from the Guarayos region, who work in the gathering and processing of the Cusi nut. The objective of Guaguazú S.A. is to develop a sustainable industry around the fruit of the Cusi Palm in the small regions of Guarayan and Chiquitana in Santa Cruz.

At the same time, the organization undertakes economic activities and education with a focus on social impact and gender. The main goals are to avoid emigration to the cities, deforestation and forest burning.

The Cusi Palm is used to produce three organic products; oil, carbon and starch, and sub-products such as handmade cosmetics, animal feed and fibres and has the advantage of providing little wastage from the harvesting. With Oikocredit and Cordaid financing granted in 2008, Guaguazú will set up a Cusi Palm nut processing plant, which will also be used as a training centre for those involved in the project. For the first five years, it will create new employment for 543 women and 91 men in the areas of gathering, processing and handmade cosmetics.

Guaguazú has also received a capacity building package through the Solid House Foundation, with financial resources granted by Oikocredit through capacity building. The project will result in the construction of four houses with the purpose of showing the Guarayan community different housing options of designs, techniques and materials.

Guaguazú has been an Oikocredit project partner since 2008. A total of USD 475,000 (€ 325,905) in loans has been disbursed.