Ecuador

Project overview

Ecuador is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, with ecosystems that provide critical services such as water regulation, soil protection, carbon sequestration and food production. Agriculture and livestock play a central role in the national economy and rural livelihoods, particularly in family farming systems, but they also place increasing pressure on forests, soils, biodiversity and water resources.

Livestock production is a key driver of land-use change in several regions of the country. Unsustainable management practices have contributed to deforestation, land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of ecosystem services, particularly in ecologically sensitive landscapes. These challenges are being further intensified by climate change, which increases risks to food production and rural livelihoods.

The project supports Ecuador’s national priorities for ecological transition, climate action and biodiversity conservation by promoting regenerative and deforestation-free livestock systems. It addresses barriers related to governance, access to finance, market incentives, technical capacity and knowledge, while placing strong emphasis on social inclusion and gender equality.

Read More on the Promoting the mainstreaming of biodiversity and protection of ecosystem services through regenerative and deforestation-free livestock provinces of Manabi, Pichincha and Morona-Santiago

Our approach

The project promotes a regenerative and deforestation-free (RDF) approach to livestock production that integrates biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience within productive landscapes.

Activities focus on strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, improving coordination among stakeholders, and supporting the adoption of sustainable livestock management practices at farm and landscape levels. The project supports access to finance, incentives and markets that reward sustainable production, while promoting diversification and value addition in livestock value chains.

At the field level, the project supports regenerative practices such as improved grassland management, silvopastoral systems, restoration of degraded areas, and measures to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Knowledge generation, capacity development and peer learning are central to the approach, enabling producers and institutions to scale up successful practices.

Gender equality and social inclusion are mainstreamed throughout the project, with targeted actions to strengthen the participation and leadership of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities in sustainable livestock systems.

Sites

The project is implemented in three provinces representing diverse ecosystems and production systems:

• Manabí (coastal region)
• Pichincha (Andean highlands)
• Morona Santiago (Amazon region)