Mainstreaming biodiversity into food value chains

State of implementation/results

• The project works together with all marketable sustainability standards to improve biodiversity protection in the cultivation of tropical fruits, especially bananas and pineapples. There are cooperations with Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade and Global G.A.P. in the sensitisation of consumers or in the application of instruments developed in the project. Together with Global G.A.P. and Lidl, the project's implementation partner Global Nature Fund developed the first biodiversity-focused standard for the conventional cultivation of fruit and vegetables. The Biodiversity Add-On Standard is a separate module in the Global G.A.P. standard system. Fruit and vegetable producers in Europe can currently obtain certification. Global G.A.P wants to expand its use and has realised a pilot project to apply the Add-On Standard to tropical fruit in pineapple cultivation in Costa Rica for the first time. The pilot project was realised on two Nicofruta plantations and audited by Kiwa. All criteria were met. Global G.A.P. has announced an extension of the standard to all countries for the end of 2024. The "Global Nature Fund" is also in dialogue with Naturland International and Demeter International. Both organic standards are interested in the experiences of the Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) and have, among other things, trained their advisors on which elements are particularly important for the BAPs.-- 138 farms in both implementing countries are implementing biodiversity action plans. In total, the project reaches producers with a total area of 46,834 hectares. A digital Biodiversity Performance App for monitoring the action plans ("BPApp") is being used by the producers and facilitates the documentation of progress (further information: Biodiversity Performance App - Meteo.tech).
• Through the Biodiversity Innovation Fund, the project has provided financial support to 40 projects of production enterprises on a pro-rata basis, with the enterprises' own contribution reaching EUR 885.566. The projects pilot, for example, the use of drones for precision farming techniques, wildlife monitoring or the establishment of agroforestry systems. www.delcampoalplato.com/…
• Action plans for biodiversity protection at landscape level exist for two biocorridors in Costa Rica and one in the Dominican Republic. The envisaged improved linkages between ecosystems in productive landscapes include the Caño Negro wetland in Costa Rica, a valuable wetland for Central America and habitat for rare migratory birds, as well as the course of the Jura River in the Dominican Republic with links to relevant mangrove forests, which are also home to manatees. The investment opportunities were presented in detail to the actors in the supply chains in the German-speaking region during visits to the company headquarters. They can choose from modules ranging from EUR 5,000 to EUR 30,000. Initial commitments of EUR 97.100 have been made to finance measures in both Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
• The project supports the Ministry of Agriculture of Costa Rica (Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, MAG) in revising its manual on Integrated Pest Management in pineapple production. New knowledge and measures are included that show the production companies alternatives to the use of chemical plant protection products. This allows for greater sustainability in pineapple cultivation and improved ecosystem protection.
• The project supported the MAG in organising the 1st National Forum on Natural Plant Protection in October 2023. Based on the results, a revision of the national strategy for natural plant protection products is planned.
• MAG and SINAC are being supported in anchoring the Biodiversity Check in the MAG's agricultural information centres. In this context, an analysis of existing instruments of both organisations was carried out and an action plan for adapting and anchoring the BCA was developed on the basis of the findings.
• In cooperation with the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA), a handbook on sustainable agriculture was published as part of the Action Alliance for Sustainable Bananas, which contains a description of 30 specific measures focussing on biodiversity and climate change (more information: GIZ_Manual-de-Agricultura-SEBCC_Digital_24_V2.pdf (bpmesoamerica.org).

Latest Update:
12/2024

Further links

• Publication: Recommendations for effective criteria for biodiversity protection in food standards and sourcing requirements of food companies in the banana and pineapple sector
• Publication: Investitionen in die Biologische Vielfalt im Bananen- und Ananasanbau - Ein Katalog für Unternehmen, die in Biologische Korridore investieren wollen (GER)
• Publication: Empfehlungen für wirksame Kriterien zum Schutz der biologischen Vielfalt in Lebensmittelstandards und Beschaffungsanforderungen von Lebensmittelunternehmen im Bananen- und und Ananassektor (GER)