CATIE and SERFOR Explore New Opportunities for Cooperation in Forest Management in Peru

• Meeting identified joint strategic areas in agroforestry, restoration, agribusiness, and forest management

Representatives of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) and the National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) of Peru held a meeting on September 18 in Lima, with the purpose of exploring cooperation opportunities in the framework of sustainable forest management.

The meeting was attended by Erasmo Otárola, Executive Director of SERFOR; Athenas Castello Branco Hurtado, Director of the Office of International Cooperation; and Fernando León Morales, Advisor to the Executive Directorate and former Vice Minister of Environment. Representing CATIE were Hugo Li Pun, Representative in Peru; Roger Villalobos, President of the Latin American Model Forest Network (RLBM); and Fernando Carrera, Manager of the RLBM.

During the session, Otárola highlighted SERFOR’s vision and mission as the technical and regulatory forest authority, with a productive role and not only a conservation role, emphasizing that Peru is the second largest Amazonian country in terms of forest area, although it is threatened by deforestation. He also presented the 12 thematic axes that guide SERFOR’s agenda to 2030, including forest governance, forest observatory (SERFOR 4.0), competitive value chains, investments in restoration, international markets, ecosystem services, and wildfire management.

CATIE representatives highlighted relevant experiences in fire prevention, restoration, sustainable agribusiness, watershed management, coffee, cacao, and livestock. Li Pun recalled the recent institutional visit to Junín, the adhesion of the Regional Government (GORE) of Junín to CATIE, and projects in silvopastoral systems and coffee in Ucayali and Huánuco, as well as the training provided to technical staff and Peruvian producers at CATIE’s headquarters.

As a result, both institutions agreed on the need to move forward with the signing of a framework agreement to formalize cooperation. Priority areas include agroforestry systems with coffee and cacao, forest plantations, management of natural forests, livestock, agribusiness, restoration, fire management, model forests, and technical training. In addition, it was agreed to explore the possibility of jointly submitting proposals to seek support from international cooperation, as well as coordinating actions within projects already financed by SERFOR.

Finally, it was proposed that during an upcoming visit of Dr. Luis Pocasangre, Director General of CATIE, to Peru, a joint meeting with SERFOR and authorities of the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) be held to further strengthen cooperation ties.