Macambo (Theobroma bicolor), is a nutrient-dense traditional Amazonian tree crop related to cocoa, with high levels of protein, fiber and theobromine. Toasted macambo seeds have exciting potential as a food ingredient, and also important but declining cultural and nutritional value to local communities. 

Aliados is partnering with Canopy Bridge who have identified macambo’s potential to act as a flagship crop in the economic revitalization of biodiverse traditional farming systems.Canopy Bridge works on the ground revitalizing local economies by linking gastronomy, conservation and poverty alleviation through responsible market access. Aliados complements Canopy Bridge’s efforts by strengthening farmer outreach and implementing our FFS methodology in the Kichwa communities of mondayacu, jondachi, 24 de Mayo, and nueva esperanza to increase macambo productivity and incorporate macambo into a diverse smallholder farming system for resilient farmer livelihoods in the Amazon. 

Impact & positive change

In 2022, Canopy Bridge bought $11,398 of macambo from 200 kichwa farmers. In 2023, with support from Aliados, Canopy Bridge bought $58,000 of macambo from over 400 farmers!