Acelen Renewables, the energy company responsible for Acelen Agripark, has expanded its technical and institutional support to the Family Farmers and Environmental Agroextractivism Cooperative of Vale do Riachão Ltda (COOPERRIACHÃO). With this, the agroextractivism families of Northern Minas Gerais strengthen their work in the macauba supply chain and gain greater autonomy in managing their activities.

As part of this set of institutional actions, Acelen Renewables offered strategic technical training that allowed COOPERRIACHÃO to structure a project and obtain approximately R$500,000 in non-repayable funds through a call for proposals from the Government of Minas Gerais. There is no financial transfer to Acelen Renewables.

“This support reinforces Acelen Renewables’ commitment to land development and production chains linked to socio-biodiversity. The technical support was crucial for the cooperative to access important public resources for its growth. The next steps include further training in cooperativism and management,” says Leonardo Ferreira da Silva, Manager of Institutional Relations and Social Responsibility at Acelen Renewables.

Acelen Valoriza

In parallel, Acelen Renewables is moving forward with Acelen Valoriza, which also involves agroextractivism families from COOPERRIACHÃO. The first family selected for the program is from the cooperative. Acelen Valoriza was created to encourage more sustainable and inclusive production, with an initial target of 36,000 hectares, technical assistance, supply of high-quality macauba seedlings, and ensured future purchase of the production. The idea is to strengthen local development and expand income opportunities for those who live from the macauba chain.

New headquarters – Improved structure and operations

This November, Acelen Renewables and COOPERRIACHÃO celebrated the reopening of the cooperative’s headquarters. The investment, the first private social one of the company, went beyond structural renovation since it modernized internal routines and strengthened the organization’s operational efficiency.

“The arrival of Acelen Renewables is a turning point for our 450 partner families. More than just a new headquarters, we gained even more technical expertise to access resources. We are structuring a new future for agroextractivism activities in the region,” highlights Jerley Soares da Fonseca, president of COOPERRIACHÃO.

Located in the macauba grove region, in Mirabela (state of Minas Gerais), COOPERRIACHÃO has processed the native plant since 2009. The cooperative already produced kernel oil (used in cosmetics), pulp oil (for biodiesel and soap), kernel and pulp cakes (for animal feed), and also used the endocarp (seed) as charcoal or crushed stone. With the partnership, the cooperative will also start receiving macauba oil processed at Acelen Agripark. Currently, the organization serves 450 agro-extractive families, indirectly impacting approximately 1,400 people in 62 communities in the region.