Competition for ideas on biological diversity
Do you or your banana and pineapple producers have innovative ideas on how to apply biodiversity to crops? Participate in the ideas competition!
The winners of the ideas competition:
In 2020, 2021, and 2022, we issued six bids for small-scale biodiversity ideas competition projects in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. A total of 40 projects with viable and innovative approaches could be funded. The concept: the project provides technical expertise and materials, the farms finance the labor and also provide land. Around EUR 250,000 was invested in biodiversity measures by farms in this model.
See here which projects have been implemented.
The examples show how diverse the commitment of agriculture to biodiversity can be.
- Use of drones to optimize crop protection and fertilization.
- Use of compost to improve soil fertility
- Creating small habitats for flora and fauna
- Professional chicken farming as “agroforestry” under banana plants
- Beekeeping in banana and pineapple plantations
Contact us if you would like to implement similar projects with your suppliers.
Winners 2022
The winners in 2020 - 2021
Dominican Republic
Costa Rica
To promote biodiversity!
Costa Rican banana and pineapple producers are invited to participate in a competition of ideas to promote biodiversity on their plantations.
The Government of Costa Rica and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) invite banana and pineapple producers to participate in the “Contest of Ideas for the Promotion of Biodiversity” in their plantations. These competitions are addressed to both large and small producers and offer the opportunity to design and implement strategies to promote greater biodiversity.
The objective is to support innovative proposals from banana and pineapple producers that promote biodiversity through technical assistance, the purchase of materials and small-scale goods, and financial support. By implementing innovative ideas that promote biodiversity, producers not only contribute to the conservation of flora and fauna, but also ensure that their product is recognized for its commitment to the environment.
This competition is part of the “From Farm to Fork” programme, which is implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the German Cooperation GIZ, and financed by the German Federal Ministry of Environment through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), which aims to position and integrate biodiversity and ecosystem services into banana and pineapple value chains in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, the contest will be organized in cooperation with.
The call is open for the first contest. Producers who wish to participate must do so before March 31st of this year. In this first phase, five producers will be selected nationally.
What ideas can be financed?
Integrating biodiversity into business management to increase business opportunities that
- Optimizing the use of biodiversity
- Environmentally friendly practices
- Promote the conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increasing genetic diversity
- Protection of native species or management of invasive species
- Minimizing the impact on the environment
- Preparation of environmental education plans in the plantation area.
What are the benefits of participating?
Successful idea concepts participate in a public recognition event. Depending on the requirements, they will receive support to carry out their idea. This support is worth between $2,500 and $25,000 and includes the purchase of goods and materials, content-specific consulting, workshops, and financial support.
What has been implemented so far
In Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, numerous producers contributed to an ideas competition for biodiversity. The proposals range from ecological chicken farming in banana plantations to the use of a flying drone for optimized monitoring of natural habitats. The producers receive advice, material and equipment for the implementation of the measures.