The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is urging stronger and more coordinated investment in agrifood systems across Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to an FAO press release, 70 representatives from governments, regional organizations, development banks, financial institutions, international cooperation agencies, the private sector and family farming organizations met on August 18 and 19 to identify ways of turning agricultural opportunities into concrete investments.
The region remains a major contributor to global food production but faces significant climate risks, while financing for its agrifood systems remains insufficient and fragmented.
“Latin America and the Caribbean is a global agrifood powerhouse, but 32 million people still suffer from hunger, and nearly 70% of food producers face barriers to accessing formal finance,” said FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative Rene Orellana Halkyer.
Participants identified five priorities, including building territorial investment portfolios linking production, infrastructure, markets, technical services and tailored financial tools.
The meeting also emphasized financial education, technical assistance, business management and stronger rural organizations, alongside greater cooperation among governments, banks, investors, businesses, academia and communities.
Climate considerations were also placed at the centre of investment planning, including support for sustainable farming, ecosystem restoration, resilient infrastructure, water management and agricultural insurance.
Small and medium-sized family farmers, their organizations and rural communities were identified as central to the financing agenda.
FAO said it currently manages more than US$1 billion across more than 400 projects in 32 countries, connecting local needs with financing, knowledge, innovation and investment.
The meeting included officials from Chile, Brazil, Guatemala and Costa Rica, as well as representatives from CARICOM, the World Bank, CABEI, CAF, ACTO, MERCOSUR and private-sector organizations including BBVA and Vox Capital.
