From farm to fork: 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. We cooperated with Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade and Global G.A.P. to raise awareness among 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. Piloting of the add-on standard for tropical fruits was realised for the first time in pineapple cultivation in Costa Rica-- 138 farms in both implementing countries are implementing biodiversity action plans. In total, the project reaches producers with a total area of 55.834 hectares. BAPs that have achieved an implementation rate of over 80% are currently being updated.
• Through the Biodiversity Innovation Fund, the project has provided support to 40 projects of production enterprises on a pro-rata basis, with the enterprises' own contribution reaching EUR 885.566. The projects piloted, 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. Actors in the supply chains 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 supported the Ministry of Agriculture of Costa Rica (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 and 2nd National Forum on Natural Plant Protection. The participatory development of a National Strategy for Bioinputs in Costa Rica is currently underway. The 1st National Forum on Bioinputs in the Dominican Republic is planned for 10/2025.
• In collaboration with the Hemispheric Bioinputs Platform, led by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), the project is supporting the organisation of the 2nd Pan-American Bioinputs Forum, which will also be attended by delegations from Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Latest Update:
12/2025

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)