CSF-Brazil is working to promote sustainable soybean expansion in the MATOPIBA region of the Brazilian Cerrado. In partnership with Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia (IPAM - Amazon Environmental Research Institute), we are conducting a modeling study to better understand decision making around soybean production in MATOPIBA and assess various incentive and management strategies.

Specifically, our study will identify the factors that affect farmers’ production choices in 10 priority municipalities in Tocantins and Bahia. We will use choice modeling to assess the impact of incentive and management strategies on production choices and deforestation decisions according to producer preference patterns.

CSF, in partnership with GIZ, is providing technical and political guidance on how to integrate ecosystem service values into urban planning to the city governments of León, Mérida and Morelia.

CSF is evaluating the feasibility of conservation agreements to guarantee the protection of the Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Communal Lands watersheds in Bolivia. Through consultation workshops with various stakeholders, we will consider different financial mechanisms and make recommendations on the best model to be implemented in Pilón Lajas. If we find that conservation agreements are feasible in this area, we will seek to work on the final design and implementation.

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