Thriving Communities, Healthy Landscapes
We're helping more than two million farmers embrace more sustainable growing practices that can help build resilience to climate change and boost yields.
Article
What's at Stake
Across the tropics, farming and forest communities face a daily struggle to cover life’s basic needs. Breaking the cycle of rural poverty—and tackling the ensuing impacts for people and nature—is critical for a more sustainable future for us all.
RURAL POVERTY, DEFORESTATION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Rural poverty is at the root of many of our most pressing global challenges, from child labor and poor working conditions to deforestation for agricultural expansion. Economic desperation exacerbates these complex issues, which are deeply embedded in global supply chains. The result is a vicious cycle of environmental destruction and human suffering.
Our Impact
Our work to cultivate rural prosperity brings real, measurable benefits for farmers, forest communities and Indigenous peoples around the world.
Building a sustainable forest economy
US$69.7 million
earned by our Maya Biosphere Reserve community partners from 2013-2021*
The Rainforest Alliance has been working with the community forestry concessions in Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve since 1999—helping to develop thriving forest enterprises based on the responsible harvesting and processing of non-timber forest products (such as nuts and palm fronds), in addition to timber for export, according to the rigorous standard of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
*2013-2021 earnings from 100+ small and medium-sized forest-based businesses in the community concessions of Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve.
Improving farmer incomes
40% higher cocoa income
on West African small-scale certified farms*
In 70 countries, farmers are trained in more sustainable practices that boost climate resilience, conserve biodiversity, and promote worker wellbeing—while also helping to increase productivity and improve their incomes. Learn more
*Three studies published in 2018-2020 reveal that income from cocoa production is 40% higher on average on Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified farms in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, compared to non-certified farms:
Our Work: Livelihoods
The Rainforest Alliance partners with frontline communities to build thriving rural economies rooted in more sustainable growing practices and forest stewardship. We also promote responsible business practices to ensure that companies recognize and reward sustainability transformation—in the field as well as the boardroom.
Our Work to Improve Rural Livelihoods
To improve rural livelihoods, we foster deep collaboration between farmers, civil society organizations, companies, and governments.
Our Work with the Global Living Wage Coalition
The Rainforest Alliance believes that workers around the world should be paid enough money to provide a decent life for themselves and their families.
Innovative Ways to Enhance Living Income for Cocoa Farmers
At the Rainforest Alliance, we believe in a shared responsibility approach that encourages companies to do their part in ensuring a living income for farmers. This is the basis of our initiatives, the Living Income Module and the Living Income Fund.
All resources for Livelihoods
The Rainforest Alliance Banana Program
The Rainforest Alliance has made a significant contribution to a more sustainable banana sector in the last 30 years. This paper describes the Rainforest Alliance banana program and its positive impacts. It also touches on the sustainability issues that the organization needs to continue to address and how it envisions doing this. Bananas are at […]
Driving Better Livelihoods: Why the Fight for a Living Wage and Income Is Essential to Creating Sustainable Supply Chains
Creating better livelihoods for farmers and farm workers is a key focus of our work at the Rainforest Alliance–working towards a world where farmers can earn a “living income” and workers can earn a “living wage”.... Continue Reading
Aggregate Effects on Ecosystem Services from Certification of Tea Farming in the Upper Tana River Basin, Kenya
The role of certification in achieving sustainability outcomes is not limited to the farm-level. However, it can be difficult to measure and map the aggregate impacts of certification since adoption often varies and landscapes are complex. This impacts study provides an interesting example of how the cumulative impacts of certification can be quantified at the […]
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
Definitions differ, but at its heart, sustainable agriculture is about meeting the needs of the present, without sacrificing those of tomorrow—it’s farming that is environmentally sound, socially responsible, and profitable for farmers.... Continue Reading
Brazil Has the Skill to Stop the Amazon Fires. It Lacks the Will | Opinion
There is a clear path forward to saving the Amazon-one that includes governments, companies, civil society, scientists, indigenous people and consumers with the support of the international community.
The Rainforest Alliance Recognizes Bold Commitments to a More Sustainable Future
The Rainforest Alliance has dedicated more than three decades to amplifying the voices of farmers and forest communities, improving livelihoods, protecting biodiversity, and helping people mitigate and adapt to climate change in bold and effective ways. In partnership with these communities, as well as companies large and small, the Rainforest Alliance works to affect change […]