Strengthening these farms is also important for the environment, as smallholders represent stewards of natural resources that are in need of sustainable management to prevent deforestation and the degradation of ecosystems.

FORBES: Catalyzing Smallholder Agricultural Finance

The latest data from the National Institute of Space Research relates to a period before a change in the code which environmentalists say eases the protection designed to prevent deforestation - a claim the government disputes.

BBC: Amazon deforestation 'at record low'

DoGoodBuyUs and CharityGiftMarket allow consumers to buy items such as a notebook made by New Forest Earth to prevent deforestation in Mexico and Equador, a rice bowl from Mai Handicrafts to benefit street families in Vietnam or a necklace made by FallingWhistles to promote peace in the Congo.

FORBES: To Find Something Unique, Consumers Turn To Charity Brands