Mesoamerica

Lush forests and thriving communities 

What's at Stake

A full third of Mesoamerica is covered in lush forest, which serves as home to scores of Indigenous and local communities, iconic wildlife, archeological wonders, and abundant biodiversity. While agriculture is the backbone of the region’s economy, it also drives deforestation and climate change.

On the front lines of climate change

Prolonged droughts and frequent hurricanes are making it harder for farmers in Mesoamerica to make a living. A lack of access to international buyers and government support compounds the problem, leading some farmers to cut down forests for more cropland, while others migrate elsewhere in search of better opportunities.

Our Impact

Our community forestry work in the Selva Maya is recognized around the world as a stunning success for people and nature. We also work with certified farmers on producing crops like coffee, cocoa, and fruits sustainably.

Our reach in certification

700,000 hectares

Through our certification program, we work to improve the sustainability of 61,443 smallholder farmers, 233 farm groups, and almost 3,000 large farms across 700,000 thousand hectares. Almost half a million workers benefit from these efforts.

Data through 2023.

Protecting forests and building up communities

1 million hectares of forest managed sustainably

We worked with community forestry businesses to improve their conservation practices while achieving US$53 million in sales of forest products from 2013 to 2023. As a result, the communities conserved one million hectares of forest.

Mesoamerica

We always start by listening. We work with farmers and forest communities to develop solutions to their specific challenges—which range from a lack of investment and business skills to poor soils and droughts. Our agricultural certification program supports farmers and workers, while our forest work helps both forests and communities thrive.

These Banana Farms in Costa Rica Are Growing a Brighter Future

Rich biodiversity? Check. Well-treated workers? Check. Prepared for climate events? Check. Costa Rica's banana industry has a long history of worker abuse and environmental destruction—​but these certified farms are proving there's a better way.... Continue Reading

Article

All resources for Mesoamerica

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Baseline Study of Environmental and Social Conditions on Rainforest Alliance Certified Banana Plantations in Costa Rica and Belize

The Rainforest Alliance, IDH-Sustainable Trade Initiative, and private entities in the banana sector collaborated on an evaluation of the social and environmental practices on Rainforest Alliance Certified banana farms in Costa Rica and Belize. The study was carried out in 2018 and analyzed wages, benefits, and workers’ rights; occupational health; and safety on a sample of seven […]

Impact Study
August 2, 2019

A Day on a Guatemalan Coffee Farm

Experience life on Finca El Platanillo, a Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee farm in western Guatemala.... Continue Reading

Article
June 4, 2019