Optimizing the agri-food sector through public policies

Representatives from FAO, IICA, ECLAC, IDB, USAID, and IFPRI gathered at the IICA headquarters in Costa Rica to discuss policies affecting agriculture in the Americas.

Convened on November 10th, the gathering sought to examine public policies that, as asserted by IICA, “have the potential to enhance agri-food systems in the Americas within a complex and dynamic international landscape, aligning with the recently endorsed Continental Alliance for Food Security and Sustainable Development by the sector’s ministers.”

In pursuit of this aim, the session was organized into five frameworks. Conversations explored opportunities and daily challenges within the sector, with a specific focus on formulating strategic plans to enhance agri-food activities in American states based on their distinct requirements. In response to this, IICA provided commentary:

“The consensus reached emphasized that the pathway to success involves reexamining and evaluating the role of agriculture and its contribution to sustainable development goals. This necessitates adopting a systemic approach that extends beyond primary production, aiming for enhancements in the productivity and sustainability of agri-food systems while simultaneously reinforcing new institutional frameworks.”.

The engagement of the entities in upcoming systems, and by extension, the countries within each, was underscored. More precisely, tools and support mechanisms were introduced and shared to “facilitate dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and experiences pertaining to public policies for agri-food systems in the region.” Additionally, the emphasis was on “cultivating a new generation of leadership and enhancing the capabilities of both public and private stakeholders engaged in the administration of public policies, programs, and investment projects.”

agroalimentario política

Derived from the deliberations in these working sessions or “panels,” the agencies concurred to formulate a “shared conceptual framework that serves as the foundation for crafting a precise and transparent roadmap for collaborative efforts, actively engaging countries, international organizations, and the banking sector in a synchronized fashion.”

It’s noteworthy that a forum took place, during which it was determined that the initiatives of the Continental Alliance for Food Security and Sustainable Development should serve as a “unified front” for undertaking activities in the American continent and systematically evaluating the outcomes of implemented strategies.

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Source: IICA