LOGin: Interview with Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist on the Hand-in-Hand Initiative

LOGin is a feature interview series regularly organized by the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva (LOG). Through LOGin, we meet with FAO’s core leadership and discuss a corporate initiative. As the first edition, we talked with Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, to dive into the world of the Hand-in-Hand initiative.

What is the Hand-in-Hand Initiative?

M. Torero: The Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative supports the implementation of nationally led ambitious programmes to accelerate agrifood systems transformations by eradicating poverty, ending hunger and malnutrition, and reducing inequalities. The Initiative uses advanced geospatial modeling and analytics, as well as a robust partnership-building approach to support governments accelerate the market-based transformation of agrifood systems — to raise incomes, improve the nutritional status and well-being of poor and vulnerable populations, and strengthen resilience to climate change.

What potential does the FAO HIH geospatial resource have? How does it make a difference?

M. Torero: With access to more than 2 million data and information layers, HIH geospatial platform serves as the evidence base for identifying territories where agricultural transformation has the greatest potential for alleviating poverty and hunger. Along with biophysical and socio-economic data, it is part of HIH technical support that encompasses extensive, verified data and expert analysis to assist governments more precisely target their agricultural investments.

The comprehensive database is also an international public good that can be used by anyone free of charge.

How is the HIH Initiative aligned with Agenda 2030 and how can it contribute to its achievement?

M. Torero: Hand-in-Hand is closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda, accelerating agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development to eradicate poverty (SDG1), end hunger and all forms of malnutrition (SDG2) and reduce inequality (SDG10).

Hand-in-Hand supports agrifood system investments that not only address poverty and maximize economic gains, but also lead to meeting environmental and social goals – to strengthen the equity, resilience and long-term sustainability of agrifood systems.

How can countries benefit from implementing the Hand-in-Hand Initiative? What advantage does it bring to countries? What has the HIH Investment Forum achieved?

M. Torero: Hand-in-Hand’s support to countries is two-pronged. First, it provides technical support to enable governments to precisely target agriculture-related investments and policies, ensuring that agrifood systems become more resilient, sustainable and equitable.

Second, it facilitates partnerships between governments and donors and the private sector to attract investments and ensure that the investments reflect the interests, needs, opportunities and national priorities that governments have identified.

The HIH Investment Forum is the crux of this partnership building effort and provides a platform for national authorities to present impact investment opportunities to corporations, multilateral development banks and donors, with a focus on growth potential of the agriculture sector and national business opportunities.

The first HIH investment forum took place in Rome in October 2022, resulting in a total estimated investment of USD 3 billion and a number of follow-up events at the country level.

Which countries have been championing the HIH Initiative?

M. Torero: As of January 2023, 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe have signed up for the Initiative. HIH has been steadily garnering support among non-participating member countries, as it transforms the way that FAO works – from a narrow focus on technical support and project implementation to identifying where investments can be more precisely targeted for social and environmental impact at scale.

Map of countries supported by the HiH initiative

How will FAO continue to support the HIH in countries and would there be any key events to keep an eye on for 2023 regarding the HIH?

M. Torero: In 2023, Hand-in-Hand Initiative will continue to work alongside national governments to help them make more informed and evidence-based decisions through enhanced access to data, technical support and capacity strengthening. Through the annual HIH Investment Forum, slated to take place in October 2023, the Initiative will provide an opportunity for governments and investors to build consensus on the strategic measures needed to transform agrifood systems at country and regional levels.

For more information, please visit the Hand-in-Hand Initiative website