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Our Mission
Shaded coffee farms, like this one in Guatemala, can provide vital habitat to migratory songbirds. But more than that, this farm meets social and environmental criteria that promote sound farm management and community well-being.
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Through the certification of environmentally sound agricultural crops, the ECO-O.K.® and Better Banana Project™ transform social and environmental conditions in tropical agriculture. The Rainforest Alliance along with other members of the Conservation Agriculture Network (a coalition of independent, nonprofit conservation groups) consults with social and environmental groups, industry, government and other stakeholders to develop guidelines for well-managed tropical agriculture.
The Problem
Like all farming, the production of tropical commodities such as bananas and coffee takes a toll on the environment. Often, endangered rainforests are cleared to make way for new or expanding farms, and diverse tropical ecosystems are replaced with sterile monocultures. Agriculture can threaten worker health and safety, cause soil erosion, and cause contamination and sedimentation of streams.
Solutions
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Develop practical, concrete and measurable guidelines for reduced impact farming |
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Reward growers who meet the socio-environmental standards by encouraging consumer demand for certified products |
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Reduce environmental impacts and improve social conditions on farms |
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Conduct ecological and social research |
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Provide environmental education to farm managers, workers and their families |
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Provide a forum for community input on the impacts of agriculture |
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Results
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Since 1991, the Conservation Agriculture Network has significantly altered the nature of banana farming in Costa Rica and is rapidly expanding its reach to other crops and countries. Farm enrollment in the program dramatically decreases pollution of rivers and beaches from the effects of agricultural production. |
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In 1995, ECO-O.K. was the first conservation program to ever receive the prestigious Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation. At present, over 25% of banana production in Costa Rica and 41% in Panama has been awarded certification -- nearly 50,000 acres -- and farms in many other countries are also enrolled in the program.
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View a video documentary on the ECO-O.K. Banana Project.
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Director: Chris Wille
Conservation Agriculture Network
About | Program Description
Get Certified: Guidelines and Applications
Principles and Values | Certified Farms
Selling Certified Products | CAN Members
Where to Buy Rainforest Alliance Certified Products
Consumer Campaigns | Contact Program Staff
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Contact the Rainforest Alliance: canopy@ra.org
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