Deforestation-free cattle ranching in Peru

Introducing sustainable agriculture and livestock practices to recover and regenerate forests in the Peruvian Amazon, and contribute to local economic development.

The pilot project involved Under2 Coalition member, Madre de Dios, but work has since expanded to cover farmer field schools in Oxapampa and the development of a public investment plan for sustainable livestock in Huánuco. 

Peruvian farmer in field constructing a fence
Photo of a young Peruvian farmer riding a horse. Trees and shrubs in the backdrop

Overview

This project has introduced nature-based solutions in Madre de Dios, with the aim of sequestering and storing GHG emissions, improving local livelihoods and supporting Peru's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) towards 2050. 

It has focused on three main components:

  • Local capacity-building through farmer field schools.
  • Knowledge sharing with wider state and regional governments.
  • Creating platforms for stakeholder dialogue to generate and facilitate conditions for marketing and financing.

Photograph of cattle grazing in a field in Peru. Uses a fisheye lens.

Working across regions for impact

To date, there have been two phases of this project. The first has focused specifically on Madre de Dios and the second has worked across Oxapampa and Huánuco.

Phase I - 2022-23

Phase II - 2023-24

Phase III - 2023-24

Partner logos - UK PACT, WWF, Under2 Coalition, TFA

About the project and its partners

Climate Group has worked with WWF Peru and the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) to support technical capacity building around silvopastoral systems in the Tampobata and Tahuamanu provinces.

These provinces are located in Madre de Dios, a department in the Peruvian Amazon. Here, extensive cattle farming is the number one cause of deforestation.

The project was funded by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, under UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) in Peru. 

UKPACT

Project objectives

  • Train farmers in deforestation-free livestock practices, such as silvopastoral and regenerative methods, through farmer field schools while incorporating positive gender and youth approaches.
  • Develop and disseminate knowledge products regarding regenerative ranching best practices among farmers and government officials across the region.
  • Develop opportunities through a public-private multi-stakeholder process to solve financial bottlenecks impeding the transition toward silvopastoral systems.
  • Create a regional public-private coalition for sustainable production in Madre de Dios that sets the rules and a roadmap for the promotion of deforestation-free livestock in the region.

Project partners & supporters

UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions)

UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is a £60m flagship programme under the International Climate Finance (ICF) portfolio. It is part of the UK’s £5.8bn commitment to International Climate Finance by 2021 to tackle climate change.

This project is a part of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, which is funded by UKAid from the UK Government.

WWF

WWF is the leading global conservation organization, with a presence in more than 100 countries and the support of more than 5 million partners. In Peru, WWF has operated in Madre de Dios since 2000, working across several projects related to forest, indigenous peoples, fresh water and wildlife. 

Also, WWF-UK manages £4 million in programme support to WWF offices in the Amazon region, including support to improve cattle ranching in Colombia and Brazil. 

Tropical Forest Alliance

The Tropical Forest Alliance is a multi-stakeholder partnership platform to support the implementation of private-sector commitments to remove deforestation from key tropical supply chains such as cocoa, palm oil and beef.

Hosted by the World Economic Forum, its 170+ alliance partners include companies, government entities, civil society, indigenous peoples, local communities and international organizations. In Peru, TFA's workplan is implemented through the Coalition for Sustainable Production

To find out more, contact:

Juliana Villabona, Technical Consultant - Colombia, Climate Group