Leggi l’articolo in italiano

Every April 22, the world observes International Mother Earth Day, a moment to reflect on the relationship between humanity and nature. Achieving global sustainability requires balancing economic development, social well-being, and environmental conservation.

At Grepalma, we fully embrace this vision. That is why we actively promote practices that foster harmony with ecosystems within Guatemala’s palm oil sector. This agroindustry not only places Guatemala among the world’s most productive countries in palm oil but also serves as a key source of formal employment with social protection, particularly in rural areas.

However, our commitment goes beyond economic impact: we firmly believe that production must be economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable, ensuring long-term viability and a positive contribution to the surrounding environment.

NECTARIFEROUS PLANTS: THE BIODIVERSITY THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Protecting Mother Earth is not only about preserving resources—it requires transforming how we produce. At Grepalma, our members are committed to advancing nature-based solutions that contribute to the integrity and sustainability of agroecosystems. One of our most prominent initiatives is the implementation of nectariferous plants in oil palm plantations—an agroecological strategy that promotes natural biological pest control, reduces chemical loads in soils, and stimulates functional biodiversity.

These plant species attract beneficial insects such as pollinators, parasitoids, and natural pest predators, restoring ecological balance and strengthening crop resilience. This practice, implemented across various production regions, has become a local innovation with global impact.

A SUSTAINABLE MODEL IN THE INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

The effectiveness of these practices has been recognized by international organizations. The Visual Guide to Boosting Biodiversity in Palm Oil Landscapes (IUCN NL, 2025) highlights the use of nectariferous plants as a key strategy in tropical agriculture. Images from member-owned farms of GREPALMA appear in the publication, illustrating applied, nature-based sustainability practices.

Likewise, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in its Case Study – GREPALMA Sustainability Strategy (ILO, 2025), highlights the use of nectariferous plants as part of an agroecological pest management approach, recognizing progress in promoting formal employment and sustainable farming practices within the sector.

FROM RESEARCH TO THE LAND: CULTIVATING CHANGE

The program has already taken its first steps: four pilot nurseries have been established in different production regions, each containing six distinct nectariferous species selected for their pollination value and local adaptability. This effort ensures access to high-quality plant material and facilitates field adoption, backed by scientific research and technical guidance.

This model not only enhances functional biodiversity but also supports an agroecological transition aligned with circular economy principles—reducing chemical inputs, regenerating soils, and closing ecological cycles in agricultural systems. At the same time, it contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

From this perspective, nectariferous plants are not just an agricultural technique, but a tool for climate resilience, landscape regeneration, and productive transformation that drives biodiversity within Guatemala’s oil palm plantations.