Suriname

The Programme will seek to develop an integrated policy which is in alignment with the International Conventions, Treaties and Agreements on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples such as the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 2007 (UNDRIP), and the outcome document of the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. This is all in line with the “Leave No One Behind” principle and contributes to the achievement and acceleration of SDGs 1, 2, 5, 16 and 17. While these will be the primary SDGs that the JP should impact, the interrelated nature of the SDGs means that all Goals will be influenced by the implementation of this Joint Programme. The National Policy and Regulatory Framework on Food and Nutrition Security at the national and community level will also be supported. This food and nutrition (agriculture) policy aspires to guarantee food security and food safety for all, to develop a sustainable agriculture sector and to increase agriculture's contribution to GDP and economic development.

Why

Suriname's interior regions are underdeveloped and under-serviced, with the population suffering disproportionately from poverty and unemployment. Sustainable agriculture is considered a growth opportunity. Modest collaboration across stakeholders, lack of investments, absence of extension services, and limited business skills and knowledge of markets have prevented the emergence of sustainable value chains thus far.

What

At least 335 hectares will be cultivated for 1000 MT of organic pineapple production, leading to an increase of farmers' income. This shift towards permanent organic farming systems with a decreased portion of land use will significantly reduce environmental pressure on primary and secondary forests. By supporting 110 small businesses and farmers, at least 100 full time equivalent jobs will be created. At least 30% of small farmers and businesses supported will be women led. At least 215 hectares of forest will be preserved.

How

A mix of financing solutions is proposed to address the financing constraints that have prevented Suriname to seize the great potential of the pineapple value chain. These are: a collateral support facility that will de-risk commercial bank loans and allow private sector banks to lend to smallholder farmers, a Pineapple Cooperative Development Company that will centralize production planning and ultimately act as marketer of the pineapples and a Pineapple Innovation Hub, a local foundation that will provide tailored agronomic and business support and management services to farmers. This holistic approach offers a context-specific blended finance solution for placing Suriname on a course to be a sustainable pineapple producer for the local and international markets.

Results

The joint programme is expected to start in April 2022, after the completion of the design and pre-feasibility phase in 2021.

Brief description

With a forest cover of 93% and an increased rate of deforestation, Suriname is in need of more progress in sustainable financing. The aim of the Joint Programme is, therefore, to develop a National Roadmap for a Sustainable Financial System to reorient the flow of international and local resources toward more inclusive and gender responsive sustainable actions in the Republic of Suriname. The programme will promote dialogues, alliances and networks with the government, development banks, financial sector as well as investors to facilitate informed policy and decision-making in the country and in the implementation of sustainable forest management and other nature-based solutions.

Approach

By building a financial framework that strengthens the partnership between the relevant sectors and different partners, Suriname will be in a better position of reaching the related SDGs. The programme is targeting a sector that has not received much funding, while working with the public sector. Reaching specific targets related to Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining sector and the forest sector will improve Suriname’s baseline in the goals and targets identified in the SDG Matrix, and indirectly in the broader goals and targets and accelerate their progress towards a more sustainable future. The roadmap will consist of three main phases: Diagnostic, Capacity building, and Green Agreement development.