Working experiences

Mayra Esseboom has her MSc. on Agricultural Economics and graduated in 1999 of the Wageningen University and Research Centre. She has worked for different organizations dealing with agricultural/forestry and development matters. The last 15 years Mayra Esseboom is working as a researcher at the Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS). In the department for Forest Management her research is on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) with the focus on oil products like carapa oil, amana oil, maripa oil and copaiba oil but also herbs, medicinal plants and fruits have her special interest. Frequently her research is in collaboration with rural communities and concentrates on the commercialization and marketing of NTFPs, the empowerment of CBO’s and micro entrepreneurs. Closely related to her research are issues like the preservation of Traditional Knowledge, community development and environmental awareness. She produces popular writings and scientific articles and upon request she advices policy makers within her field of expertise. Furthermore, she mentors and advices students of e.g., the University of Suriname (AdeKUS). From 2009 until 2019 she has represented the AdeKUS in the Global Environment facility/ Small Grants Program (GEF/SGP) national steering committee (elected as co-chairman from 2012-2019). From 2019 until present she supports the FAO SAMAP program as a resource person.

• Describing and protecting agrobiodiversity of key food crops in 3 communities in Suriname
• Carapa oil in Apura: research projects on ecology, protection of TK and, improved technology and marketing.
• Edible palm oils in Pokigron; research projects on ecology, protection of TK and, improved technology and marketing.
• Advising policy makers on laws and conventions regarding TK and forest related issues.
• Community forestry research project at Marchallkreek;
• Research on the potentials of NTFP’s (especially medicinal plants) for the community.
• Marketing research activities for different community forestry projects.
• Environmental awareness projects.

(Conference) Papers and Presentations:

• Esseboom, M. and Helstone, A. (2019). “Using FPIC in agricultural projects; bliss or burden? The case of the CELOS agrobiodiversity project in three communities in Suriname”. V International Congress on Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield, 5 - 8 August 2019, Florencia Caquetá, Colombia (oral presentation)
• Playfair, M., Gangadien, C., Esseboom, M. and Wortel, V. “The use of non-timber forest products in the maroon community of Pikinslee, Suriname”. V International Congress on Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield, 5 - 8 August 2019, Florencia Caquetá, Colombia
• Playfair, M. and Esseboom, M. (2015). “Increasing sales and internal ownership: a basis for collaboration, Suriname.” In N. Pasiecznik & H. Savenije (Eds.), Effective forest and farm producer organizations (pp. 39-45). Wageningen: Tropenbos international.
• Playfair M. and Esseboom M. (2014). “Mogelijkheden voor de bamboe industrie in Suriname” Stichting Caribamboe, Paramaribo (unpublished report). “Marketing of Carapa seeds and protection of Traditional knowledge” Presentation at Paramaribo TEDx event on 18 October 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FliLJvEciQ#t=174

• Esseboom, M. and Playfair, M. (2013)."The Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the carapa oil producers in Apura; Suriname” III International Congress on Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield, 5-8 August 2013, Paramaribo, Suriname (oral presentation)
• Esseboom, M. and Playfair, M. (2013)."Is Income Generation of Importance for the Preservation of TK? The case
• of carapa oil producing communities in Suriname” IUFROLAT Congress: “Forests, competitiveness and sustainable landscapes”, 12-15 juni 2013 San Jose, Costa Rica (oral presentation)
• Playfair, M. and M. Esseboom. (2012). “Preserving the forest for community development in Pokigron: a community forestry case in Suriname.” In M. McDermott (ed.). Community Forestry in the Caribbean: A Regional Synthesis. Laventille: CANARI, pp. 59–60. 
• Esseboom, M., & Playfair, M. (2012). “Marktverkenning naar NTFP op de Surinaamse markt.” Paramaribo: Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS).
• Esseboom, M. and M. Playfair. 2012. “NTFP; krappaolie. [NTFP, carapa oil]” Bos en Natuur [Forest and Nature]: 28–29.
• Playfair M., Esseboom, M. and Malone, H. (2009) “Traditional uses of forests, challenges for rural communities in Suriname” International conference: Knowledge-based management of tropical rainforests 22 - 28 November 2009, Cayenne, French-Guiana (oral presentation)
• Chairman of session Forests for local development at the international conference Knowledge based management of tropical rainforests 22- 28 November 2009, Cayenne, French-Guiana
• Playfair, M., M. Esseboom, and E. Zschuschen 2009. Marktverkenning van potentiële non-timber forest products en niet-industriële houtproducten voor de Marchallkreek Community. Centre for Agriculture Research in Suriname (CELOS). Unpublished report.
• Playfair, M. and M. Esseboom 2009. Onderzoek naar de bosgerelateerde behoeften van de Pokigron gemeenschap. Centre for Agriculture Research in Suriname (CELOS). Unpublished report
• Esseboom, M. and Playfair, M. (2008). “Marchallkreek A Community in transition: Using the potential on non-timber forest products (NTFP’s) for livelihood improvement” Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, 9 - 13 June 2008, Paramaribo, Suriname (oral presentation)