Agência Sebrae*
Macapá – The northern Brazilian state of Amapá counts on a new shrimp processing plant, inaugurated last Saturday (21) in Igarapé da Fortaleza, in the municipality of Santana. The plant is the result of a partnership between the Amapá state government, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), The Agency of Fisheries of Amapá, and the Federation of Fishermen and Aquaculturists of the State of Amapá. With regard to the production process, a partnership will be established with the Cooperative of Small-Scale Fishermen, Farmers and Cattle Raisers of Igarapé da Fortaleza (Coopercaf).
According to the governor of the state, Waldez Góes, the shrimp processing plant is now home to the Amapá fishermen. "Fishermen and sons of fishermen who are members of the cooperative are now believing this dream, and they are betting on technical training by the Sebrae and the University of the State of Amapá," he said.
To the superintendent at Sebrae, João Carlos Alvarenga, the new structure is part of a set of measures for developing the economy of the state, and Sebrae is a development partner. "The organisation is going to work in close cooperation with the cooperative of small-scale fishermen to provide courses in management to the shrimp plant, and in price formation for the product offered," Alvarenga stated.
The president at the Coopercaf, Luís dos Santos, said that the plant is the fulfilment of an old dream of the community, as well as an important step for the growth of the economy, as it will add value to the product manipulated by the riverside population itself.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
