Supporting farmer-led agroforestry adoption in Atsinanana, Madagascar

The Union of Farmer Organisations of Atsinanana (FITAFA), supported by the Confederation of Malagasy Farmers (FEKRITAMA) and the Forest and Farm Facility, promotes agroforestry uptake in eastern Madagascar. FITAFA represents 350 farming households across Vatomandry, Antanambao Manampotsy and Mahanoro districts, where slash-and-burn farming, forest and soil degradation, delayed rains and drought threaten livelihoods. Farmers establish shade-grown systems combining cinnamon, clove, coffee and lychee with fruit trees, food crops, vines, livestock, beekeeping and fishponds. FEKRITAMA and FITAFA support adoption through training, farmer-to-farmer learning, demonstration sites, community nurseries and market connections. Farmers have reported improved diets, diversified income, soil restoration, climate resilience, rural employment and stronger social ties. Land tenure is a challenge in which Farmers Organizations still struggle, and constraints remain around markets, labour, finance, seedlings and inclusion of women and youth.

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Farmer-led agroecology and seed systems strengthening agrobiodiversity in Ghana

The Abrono Organic Farmers Association (ABOFA), based in Forikrom in Ghana’s Bono East Region, supports about 6,000 farmers to manage agrobiodiversity across more than 5,000 hectares through agroecological farming. Farmers cultivate small plots of around 1 hectare using diverse mixtures of root crops, cereals, vegetables, fruit trees and livestock in agroforestry systems. ABOFA strengthens these systems through farmer field schools, farmer-to-farmer extension and training on soil testing, composting, rainwater harvesting, nursery practices, beekeeping, grafting and recordkeeping. Farmers mainly save and exchange their own seeds, while ABOFA’s community seed bank conserves 31 crop varieties. The association also supports value addition, aggregation and market access for products such as cashew, mango, cocoa and honey. Together, these approaches strengthen livelihoods, food security, resilience and the sustainable use of local biodiversity.

Strengthening agroforestry enterprises through cooperative governance in Vietnam

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Mobilizing internal finance within a forest and farm producer organization in Ghana

The Jwa Ngwaane Community Cooperative Credit Union was established by the Kassena Nankana Baobab Cooperative Union (KANBAOCU), a forest and farm producer organisation (FFPO) in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Formed in August 2020 and launched in December 2020, it began with 96 village savings and loans associations representing 2,920 members. The credit union was created to help members save securely, access low-interest loans and invest in farming, shea, baobab and other value chains after many had lost confidence in commercial banking. The member-owned model offers shares, savings accounts, fixed deposits, loans and agribusiness support. It is governed through a general assembly, board, loans, supervisory and education committees, supported by a manager and field officers. By 2022, it had grown to 363 accounts, 6,105 individual members, GH₵283,523 in savings and GH₵271,346 in loans, showing how FFPOs can mobilize internal finance for inclusive rural enterprise.

Mobilizing farmer-led cooperative finance for family farming in Brazil

Cresol Credit Union System was founded in 1995 by 27 family farmers in southwest Paraná, Brazil, to improve access to rural credit and financial services for smallholders excluded from traditional banking. It has grown into a three-tier cooperative financial system with 1 confederation, 4 central credit unions, 72 first-tier credit unions and 734 branches across 18 Brazilian states. Cresol provides financial services to more than 786,000 member families, including over 245,000 people involved in agriculture. Its model combines member savings and investments with funding from Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), private and development banks and international funds. Cresol provides productive and investment credit, working capital, insurance, savings, digital services and technical assistance. Through its Rural Entrepreneurship programme and rural finance methodology, it links finance with management support, better use of natural resources, technology and sustainable practices supporting family farming and local development.

Be Green Trade: combining business incubation and market development for sustainable forest enterprises in Bolivia

Be Green Trade is an integrated business incubator and market developer established by the Business Work Foundation (Fundación Trabajo Empresa or FTE), in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It combines a 5,000 m² shared workspace with business planning, training, mentoring, legal support, product development and marketing services for micro and small enterprises working with recycled wood, timber and non-timber forest products. Through partnerships with public institutions, businesses, universities, NGOs and professional networks, it connects producers with technical expertise, sales channels and market information.

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Building climate resilience through women-led agroforestry tree nurseries in Kenya

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Working with nature through the Kishan Chautari Participatory Guarantee System in Nepal

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From Fish to Wild Berries: The Shift in Socioeconomic Strategy in a Protected Area of the Chiquitania Region in Bolivia

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Tortubanks: Eco-actions that leave a mark for sea turtle conservation

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Regenerative Agriculture for the Conservation of the Chiquitano Dry Forest and the Reduction of Deforestation in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

In Bolivia, the expansion of agriculture and livestock farming on degraded soils is increasing pressure to clear the Chiquitano Dry Forest. The Chiquitanía Sostenible Model Forest promotes sustainable production through regenerative practices, restoring soils to support both production and conservation. Through demonstration plots, farmers are implementing cover crops, mixed cover systems, crop rotations, and improved pasture management to restore soil fertility, water infiltration, and organic matter, thereby gradually increasing productivity. In addition, functional biodiversity (pollinating bees, earthworms, and coprophagous beetles) is monitored. At the landscape scale, the initiative integrates agroforestry, regenerative livestock farming with water management and spring protection, restoration of degraded ecosystems, and fire prevention. Non-timber resources (wild fruits, honey, and Chiquitano almonds) are also promoted, thereby enhancing the value of the standing forest and reducing pressure for deforestation.

From Participation to Leadership: Women’s Influence in Fisheries Governance, Conservation and Adaptive Management

CI Cambodia began gender mainstreaming in the Tonle Sap in 2013 by promoting women’s participation in community fisheries and conservation activities. While women were increasingly represented in committees, this did not always translate into meaningful influence, as their voices and leadership roles remained limited. Between 2014 and 2026, CI Cambodia strengthened its approach by linking women’s savings groups with community fisheries committees to co-manage conservation funds. This partnership provided women with practical opportunities to develop financial management skills, engage in planning and consultations, and contribute directly to decisions on conservation investments. Over time, women’s roles evolved from passive representation to active leadership and decision-making. The experience shows that meaningful gender mainstreaming requires women’s access to resources, leadership roles, and decision-making power.