Regional Government of Ucayali, Peru, approves strategic plan to promote BioTrade with an agroecological approach

Being one of the 16 megadiverse nations, Peru houses 70% of the world’s biodiversity. Its abundant variety of flora and fauna plays a crucial role in the development and prosperity of its people.

The Regional Government of Ucayali (GOREU) has denominated the Aguaytía basin (see map) as an Agroforestry Corridor with great potential for designing and scaling agroecological innovations and evaluating current solutions. This Corridor is one of the four territorial development units defined in the Regional Government’s Low-Emission Rural Development Strategy. The abundant biodiversity in Ucayali has been threatened by deforestation, mainly promoted by agricultural expansion.

Over an eight-month period, GOREU collaborated with more than 50 stakeholders from diverse institutions and sectors, including the Agroecology Initiative and its partner, the NGO Terra Nuova. Their collective efforts resulted in the co-creation of the first Regional Strategy for the Promotion of BioTrade with an agroecological approach, along with a corresponding Action Plan for 2028. The strategy and action plan are centered around agroecological and circular economy practices, prioritizing five value chains – camu camu [Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.)], aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.), charapita chili (Capsicum frutescens L.), cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) and paiche (Arapaima gigas) – with high potential for specialized international markets. The strategy aims to enhance the supply conditions for biodiversity products. The action plan focuses on increasing awareness of native Amazonian products, fortifying farmers’ organizations, and institutions, and providing support to local businesses.

This is a significant initial move in advancing eco- and bio-businesses. The achievement was facilitated by international cooperation with funds from the European Union and based on an agreement between the regional government and the NGO Terra Nuova in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through the Agroecology Initiative, and Paskay, a Peruvian company that seeks to improve livelihoods in forest communities through projects built and led by the actors themselves, with a territorial development approach that reduces deforestation.

María Claudia Tristán, the country lead for Agroecology Initiative, stated that the Initiative is committed to bolstering policy and institutional governance mechanisms. This is done to stimulate the agroecological trade of Amazonian biodiversity products.” The approval of this strategy, along with its endorsement by a regional ordinance, lends the necessary legitimacy to solidify the institutionality, legal framework, and essential mechanisms for promoting and implementing biotrade and agroecology in the Ucayali department,” she explained.

• Read more about the work of the Agroecology Initiative in Peru
• Read the Analysis of the context and agroecological principles in Ucayali’s ALL here 

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