São Paulo, Jan. 16 (BNA): In the small community of Ilha da Jussara in the northern Brazilian Amazon, acai berry farming has become a key source of income.

Over the past decade, production has increased by about 50%, thanks to a group of women who worked to secure credit and take a leading role in the industry, which was previously managed by men.

Bezinha, grew up watching her father harvest acai berries in Ilha da Jussara, a fruit widely used in juices, cosmetics, and supplements.

She became the first woman to attend meetings on securing funding to expand the village's business.

Government agency Emater reports a rapid increase in women's participation in small-scale rural enterprises in Brazil, according to Reuters.

In 2021, nearly half of the rural credit from a federal program supporting smallholder farmers went to female producers, according to Emater.

Initial investments for projects like Ilha da Jussara's acai farming are about 20,000 reais ($3,300), after which the land becomes self-sustaining.

Between 2020 and 2023, acai production in Brazil increased by 15%, with Para state-home to Ilha da Jussara producing 94% of the country’s output and exporting globally to food and cosmetics industries.

In the Ilha da Jussara area, around 200 people work in organic acai production, generating combined annual sales of approximately 1.37 million reais ($225,000), accounting for over 85% of local income.

During harvest, families can earn four times the region's minimum wage.

This has significantly improved living standards, enabling participants to afford essentials like homes and basic amenities.

A.k.s, H.K, Z.H, S.H.A