Forests play a vital role in ensuring food security. They provide a source of income and livelihoods for millions of people, while their ecosystems provide critical services such as regulating the water cycle and climate. Forests also provide a home for many of the world’s most important food crops, such as maize, coffee, cocoa and mangoes.

However, forests are under threat from a range of human activities, including agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, timber extraction, fires and urbanization. This has led to a decline in the area of forest cover and an increase in the number of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

It is therefore imperative that we take action to protect and conserve our forests, for the sake of food security and for the benefit of all.

Forests are essential to the livelihoods of rural communities. They provide income through the sale of timber and non-timber products, and they support the productivity of the land by maintaining soil health and water availability. Forests also provide a wide range of environmental and social benefits, from carbon sequestration to recreation opportunities.

 In order to ensure that forests are managed in a way that benefits both the environment and rural communities, the Forest Investment Program (FIP) was created. The FIP is a World Bank-administered program that supports countries in their efforts to invest in sustainable forest management.

The FIP provides financing for projects that promote sustainable forest management, help countries transition to more sustainable forestry practices, and support the creation of green jobs. The FIP also provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to help countries implement their projects.

So far, the FIP has approved over $1 billion in financing for forest management projects in 33 countries. These projects are expected to create or sustain nearly 60,000 jobs and benefit nearly 24 million people.

The FIP is just one example of how the World Bank Group is working to support rural livelihoods. Through our Rural Development Global Practice, we are working with countries to develop and implement programs that will improve the lives of rural people. 

Given all of these benefits, it is clear that forests are a critical part of sustaining rural livelihoods. Investing in forest management is an investment in the future of rural communities.