Peru

Project description

Food systems, particularly livestock, play a critical role in Peru’s economy and food security, generating employment and income for 1.8 million families and representing a significant share of the agricultural sector. Livestock production is concentrated in high-Andean ecosystems, including grasslands, paramos, and puna, which also host important biodiversity and ecosystem services. 

However, current livestock production models are largely unsustainable and contribute to soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and climate change. Poor practices such as overgrazing, deforestation for pasture expansion, inadequate soil and water management, and limited water retention systems further degrade ecosystems and reduce productivity. 

These challenges are compounded by climate vulnerability, including droughts, extreme weather events and water scarcity, as well as socio-economic pressures such as rural poverty, migration and inequality. As a result, landscapes in the project areas show high levels of ecosystem degradation and reduced land productivity, affecting livelihoods and food security. 

In response, the project supports Peru’s transition towards sustainable, resilient and low-emission food systems within the framework of the GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Program. It promotes regenerative livestock systems that restore ecosystems, improve productivity, and strengthen livelihoods, while contributing to climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management.

Our approach

The project adopts a systems-based approach to transform livestock-based food systems by strengthening governance, finance, production practices and knowledge systems. It strengthens the enabling environment by improving policy coherence, multi-level coordination and institutional capacity to support regenerative livestock and integrated landscape management, aligned with biodiversity and climate strategies.

The project enhances access to finance by developing and aligning financial and non-financial mechanisms with conservation, climate and gender objectives, while improving access for producers and value chain actors. At the landscape level, it promotes regenerative livestock practices that restore degraded ecosystems, improve resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supported by technical assistance, pilot interventions and strengthened local capacities.

The project also supports sustainable value chains and market access, promoting innovation, value addition and inclusive business models. Knowledge generation, innovation, and coordination are central, including awareness-raising, multi-stakeholder platforms, and linkages with global FSIP processes.

Sites

The project focuses on two priority landscapes:

• Northern landscape: Ayabaca and Huancabamba (Piura), Ferreñafe (Lambayeque), Cutervo (Cajamarca)
• Southern landscape: Abancay (Apurímac), Canchis and Calca (Cusco), Melgar and Puno (Puno)