The use of pige (Piptocoma discolor) by smallholders in Napo, Ecuador: sustainable management of a pioneer timber species for local livelihoods

In the Ecuadorean Amazon, the tree species pigue (Piptocoma discolor) provides important revenues to supplement rural household incomes in times of financial need. As a pioneer species that regenerates in disturbed forest and fallows, pigue is well suited for sustainable management. Pigue is mostly used to produce boxes to transport fruits and vegetables in the region, playing an important role in the marketing of agricultural produce. As an artisanal industry, the milling and fabrication of pigue products is an important source of employment and income in some rural parts of Napo province. The availability of milling equipment and facilities is essential to the value chain associated with the processing of pigue wood, which is easily produced by rural families without external inputs and assistance. The regulatory framework for species such as pigue should be adjusted to facilitate production, given the species ecology that makes it abundant and resilient.