Increasing markets for local sustainable products from the mangroves
CONANP has supported the access to markets for sustainable products available from the mangroves, such as the mangrove-flower honey. This creates new sources of income for local communities (creating further adaptive capacity for them), and generating increased interest in the sustainable maintenance of the mangroves. An important agent for the implementation of this building block has been the Civil Association “Amigos de Sian Ka’an” who have helped to identify and strengthen points of sale for new products.
CONANP has supported this building block by:
a) Identifying potentially profitable niche products that are already being produced in Sian Ka’an
b) Training local communities in the commercialization of the following niche products: (i.e. Mangrove flower honey & Pitahaya jam).
c) Developing strong collaboration with actors such as the “Amigos de Sian Ka’an” who can open up new markets, otherwise unknown to CONANP.
To count on trained CONANP field workers to be able to identify potential niche products based on traditional uses of the mangrove.
To count on existing capacities and traditional knowledge related to the production of high value niche products;
To be able to have a clear link and access to new markets for these traditional products;
Evidence-based business models for the successful commercialization of niche mangrove products;
Effective communication and collaboration between governm
It is important to factor into business models the fact that niche products based on the mangrove will also be affected by climate change, and to plan adaptive strategies accordingly to mitigate the risk. The mangrove flower honey, for example, will be affected by erratic rainfall patterns.
It is not easy to provide access to new markets for new niche products, therefore resources should be focused in this area;
Local people have a desire to reduce the risk of losing short-term sources of income, and tend to be more risk-adverse to adapting their productive activities. Before any investment in new productive activities , the communities have to be able to trust, and have evidence, that these new activities are practicable and potentially profitable;
It has to be recognized that basic capacities for managing businesses might be very low in marginalized communities. It is therefore essential to support targeted capacity development.