The Aςaizeiro (Euterpe Oleracea Mart.) is one of the main sources of income and consumption for people (local farmer families known as ribeirinhos) living in the municipal district of Belém, State of Pará. They manage the fruit of the aςaizal (aςaí palm trees) and, among the other products, the palm heart, commonly known as palmito. The objective of this study was to identify and classify the different agricultural practices used in the management of native aςaizais. The analysis include a study of the different types of management used by the ribeirinhos with the objective of contributing to the implementation of proposals of management of native aςaizais. The research was undertaken in two main islands in Belém, known as Ilha de Paquetá (Paqueta island) and Ilha Grande (Big Island). The study approach was based on the methodology of the diagnostics of agrarian systems, which involve interviews with both open and closed questions. Twenty-two families from Ilha Grande and thirty-one families from Ilha de Paquetá were interviewed, and the questions involved issues concerning the family, the living environment, patrimony, the agrarian situation, income, techniques used in the management of açaizal and commercialization. Research findings showed that the system of management of native açaizais has gone through three phases. In the first phase, the collection of the açaí fruit is basically for consumption. In the second phase, the palm heart started to be commercialized and the açaí fruit continues to
be used for consumption. In the third phase, the actual system of management is oriented to the production of the açaí fruit for commercial and consumption purposes, with the palm heart contributing additional income. Findings from the survey showed that the three main techniques used in the management of açai crop are intensive, moderate and natural cropping (without handling). The intensive
6 handling requires intensive labor in the açaizais and the ribeirinhos income comes basically from the açaí fruit. This type of technique has shown to yield the best overall results. The moderate handling requires less labor in the açaizal and ribeirinhos complement their income from other sources. The natural cropping (without handling) just involves the harvest of the açaí fruit and the ribeirinhos income comes from activities away from the farm.
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