Peru has experienced a significant expansion in palm oil plantations over the last decade. There is an urgent need to address associated environmental risks so that palm oil production can in the long-term present a sustainable development opportunity for the country. This brief by Global Canopy, produced as part of the “Unlocking Forest Finance” project, outlines several opportunities associated with boosting smallholder yields. If implemented properly and with adequate incentives, an approach focused on increasing productivity can improve the livelihoods of smallholders and cover the demand for palm oil while protecting the remaining forests and their vital ecosystem services.
