SAYARIY

Project Summary

SAYARIY means, in Quechua: to rise with strength and energy to consolidate our work and reach our dreams. This initiative builds on the efforts of the PROMAVI initiative in Bolivia (2017–2022) to consolidate inclusive development of the tara value chain. Tara is a shrub whose pod is used, among other things, for leather tanning and cosmetic and food properties. SAYARIY’s activities aim to ensure the sustainability of this value chain—from tara collection to processing and marketing.

Objectives

  • Strengthen the resilience of rural Indigenous families, particularly women, to climate change impacts
  • Improve agricultural and community practices to promote gender equality, climate adaptation, and food security
  • Increase the organizational effectiveness of the main national actors in the tara value chain
  • Support the engagement of local governments in gender equality and climate adaptation, particularly through the promotion of nature-based solutions

Results and Impact

Keys results

  • 3,237 family businesses, including 2,423 led by women, received awareness-raising, training, and support to develop the green tara value chain through Socodevi Field Schools.
  • 611,358 tara plants have been established since the start of the project, including 122,526 new plants distributed and planted over the past year by 624 family businesses.
  • 68 new Local Tara Producers’ Committees (CLPTs) were established across the six departments where the project operates to strengthen producer organization and the adoption of resilient agricultural practices.
  • 43.8 tonnes of tara pods were purchased from producers, and 17.2 tonnes of tara flour were sold on the national market, marking an important milestone in the development of the value chain.
  • 32 municipal laws were adopted in 11 municipalities to strengthen climate change adaptation, promote gender equality, recognize unpaid care work, and prevent gender-based economic violence.

Building a Green Tara Value Chain

  • 68 new Local Tara Producers’ Committees (CLPTs) were established across the six departments where the project operates.
  • ANAPROD strengthened its national representation by bringing together producers from all six tara-producing departments.
  • BOLTRADE launched its first national sales of tara flour and obtained the necessary health authorizations to market tara flour and tara gum.
  • Investments in processing and packaging infrastructure are gradually strengthening the competitiveness of the value chain.
  • Initial business development efforts are paving the way for access to national and international markets.

More Resilient Family Businesses

  • More than 3,200 family businesses strengthened their capacities through Socodevi Field Schools.
  • More than 611,000 tara plants have been established since the start of the project to restore land and diversify incomes.
  • Producers are progressively adopting more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
  • Family businesses are improving the management of their plantations and the quality of their production.
  • Tara cultivation is creating new economic opportunities in rural areas.

Women, Leadership and Equality

  • Women now hold 50% of the seats on ANAPROD’s and BOLTRADE’s decision-making bodies.
  • A woman now serves as president of ANAPROD, a first for Bolivia’s tara value chain.
  • Leadership schools are strengthening women’s participation in economic and community decision-making.
  • Activities focused on positive masculinities are promoting a more equitable sharing of family and productive responsibilities.
  • Project initiatives contribute to women’s economic empowerment and their recognition as key actors in the value chain.

Stronger Organizations

  • ANAPROD and BOLTRADE are strengthening their governance and their capacity to provide services to their members.
  • Management and strategic planning tools are strengthening the long-term sustainability of both organizations.
  • Producers now have representative structures capable of advocating for their interests and supporting the development of the value chain.
  • Technical and commercial partnerships are supporting the growth of the tara value chain.

Municipalities Committed to Climate Action and Equality

  • 32 municipal laws were adopted in 11 municipalities to promote climate change adaptation and gender equality.
  • Municipalities are progressively integrating nature-based solutions into their territorial planning.
  • Local policies increasingly recognize unpaid care work and contribute to preventing gender-based economic violence.
  • Partnerships between local governments, producer organizations, and public institutions are strengthening territorial governance.

Testimonials

“The arrival of the SAYARIY project from Socodevi has been very beneficial! We have greatly improved the way we do things, the way we grow tara. Now we work together, women and men. Socodevi taught us how to organize as a co-operative so we can produce more and sell our tara pods.”

  • Fidelia Alvarez Macias
    Tara producer and SAYARIY project participant

“At first, we were curious and decided, as a family, to plant 50 seedlings because no one knew this plant. Now, thanks to the technical support and training cycles provided by Socodevi through the SAYARIY project, we know that tara works and that it is a good solution for generating additional income for our livelihood. It is also work that the whole family can do, from the oldest to the youngest. In rural areas, we live from what we produce, and today we are placing our hopes in tara.”

  • Juana Velasco and Claudio Puma
    Family Enterprise (FE) member of the Local Committee of Tara Producers (CLPT) La Piedra in the municipality of Samaipata (Santa Cruz)

Partners

  • Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo, Rural y Agua (MDPRyA)
  • ANAPROD
  • BOLTRADE
  • Gobiernos Autónomos Municipales (GAM)

Media gallery

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