Food security in the Peruvian Amazon

Food security is vital for rainforest communities to thrive and keep their forests standing. Cool Earth is working with Indigenous and local partners to create sustainable food solutions that improve lives and protect the environment.

Fish Farming in Peru

In the Peruvian Amazon, families are building a better future with small fish farms. Powered by solar water pumps, these ponds raise native species like paco and gamitana, giving over 93 families access to healthy food and extra income.

Training in local languages has helped participants learn how to build ponds, feed fish, and farm sustainably. As Elmo, a project promoter, explains:
“We didn’t know how to farm fish before, but now it’s helping us eat better and make money for our families.”

The next step? A fish farming association to help communities scale up, sell their fish, and access support. Plans to make fish feed from local ingredients like cassava and cocoa shells will make the project even more sustainable.

Two people practice the sustainable income method of fish farming, they check a fishing net for catch in a large pond surrounded by vibrant tropical rainforest.

Boosting Cassava in Cameroon

In Cameroon, cassava is a staple food but hard to process without the right tools. With our partners CCREAD, communities now have cassava processing machines and training to grow better crops.

These machines turn cassava into high-quality flour, processing 25kg a day compared to just 1kg a week by hand. The flour sells for 450% more, giving families more income and making sure they have enough to eat—even during tough times caused by drought or climate challenges.

A line of Cassava processing machines is delivered to a village in Cameroon. Processing Cassava locally adds value to the product.

Why It Matters

From fish farming in Peru to cassava flour in Cameroon, these projects are about more than food. They’re about:

• Healthier families with reliable meals.
• Stronger incomes that reduce the need to exploit forests.
• Protected rainforests for the future.

By supporting these projects, you’re empowering communities to thrive while protecting the planet’s rainforests.