Tuhka roasted Brazil nuts from Alalapadu

On 5 July 2021 the indigenous village of Alalapadu in the south of Suriname added roasted Brazil nuts to its Tuhka brand, next to the well-known Tuhka oil. The nuts are rich in fibre, protein and selenium.

The local production facility has become the main source of income for the community. Every purchase of Tuhka oil or Tuhka roasted nuts contributes directly to the livelihood of the more than 120 residents of Alalapadu, one of the most remote villages in Suriname. In their own statement (see the video), the employees of the Tuhka Foundation explain what production involves, and how important it is for their livelihood.

With financial support from the Amazon Forest Fund, Green Growth Suriname, the local Tuhka Foundation and Conservation International Suriname developed the roasted-nut production line in 10 months. Work continued with funding from the French government through the Our Future Forest – Amazonia Verde project.

Since 2017 the community of Alalapadu has committed, through a Conservation Agreement, to protect the 235,000 hectares of forest around the village, including its unique Brazil nut trees. The new product supports the government’s ambition to develop non-timber forest products as a sector.