Winrock International

🌳 The Climate Q&A with Rajesh Bista

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲?

In the latest edition of our Climate Q&A series, Rajesh Bista shares insights from Winrock's work helping governments strengthen the systems needed to monitor forests, measure climate impacts and access high-integrity climate finance.

From forest carbon accounting and MRV systems to building local capacity and supporting jurisdictional REDD+ programs, Rajesh discusses why strong institutions, reliable data and long-term partnerships are essential for lasting conservation outcomes.

This work reflects Winrock's strategic focus on strengthening the environmental ecosystems that rural communities depend on while advancing practical, scalable climate solutions.

📖 Read the full Q&A: https://winrock.org/the-climate-qa-with-rajesh-bista-building-the-systems-countries-need-to-protect-forests-at-scale/

🎙️ The Director's Take

We're launching a new series featuring perspectives from Winrock leaders on the issues shaping our work around the world.

In our first installment, Stephanie Lillegard, our Human Rights portfolio director, shares why lasting systems change must be rooted in human rights and how protecting people from trafficking, child labor and exploitation helps build stronger, more resilient communities.

As Winrock's new strategic plan focuses on strengthening rural communities and the systems they depend on, Stephanie explores why human rights safeguards are not separate from resilience; they're foundational to it.

💬 "We know that 61% of all child labor is an agricultural supply chains. In addition to working to improve agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods, we are integrating safeguards that reduce exploitation of workers who are often seasonal and part of an informal and often invisible workforce."

Read Stephanie's perspective: https://winrock.org/the-directors-take-stephanie-lillegard-on-centering-human-rights-within-systems-change/

🌾 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 — 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲

For decades, Winrock International has partnered with ’s farmers, universities, businesses and public institutions to strengthen agriculture, improve food security and support trade. That longstanding presence is what allows Winrock to deliver results at scale while advancing shared economic interests.

A recent example is the USDA‑funded Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (Thai RAIN), which identified, tested and scaled agricultural innovations across major value chains including rice, cassava and fruit. Through RAIN, Winrock worked alongside Thai partners and private companies to validate, disseminate and support adoption of improved technology and practices by Thai farmers. The work helped to increase productivity, profitability, and trade opportunities in the Thai agriculture sector. By focusing on commercial viability, return on investment and clear project exit strategies, RAIN laid the groundwork for sustained growth and impact.

The project’s impact extends beyond Thailand. By improving productivity and profitability in key commodities, this work helps ensure a steady, reliable supply of market-aligned agricultural products, supports the growing demand for U.S. agricultural expertise and inputs, and creates more predictable markets for businesses — advancing shared prosperity through trade. 🌏

🤝 USDA partnerships
🌾 Agriculture and training
📈 Stronger markets for Thai and U.S. businesses