Publications
Understanding microfinance interest rates in agrifood
07/2024
Interest rates have been a contentious issue in microfinance for many years. While higher interest rates for microloans are often justified by the underlying costs of making small loans in rural areas, this is not always the case.
Can smallholder farmers in Honduras and Guatemala export deforestation-free coffee to the European Union?
05/2024
The new EU Regulation for Deforestation-Free Imports (EUDR) stipulates that by 2025, certain commodities may only be imported to the European Union if it can be proven that they have been produced on land that has not been subjected to deforestation or forest degradation. One of these commodities – coffee – is a source of income for farmers in Guatemala and Honduras, representing 14 percent and 52 percent of these countries’ agrifood exports respectively.
Bioinputs: Investment opportunities in Latin America
05/2024
Bioinputs are a vital element in the agroecological transitions and represent the entry point of production systems into highly demanding markets. They also provide a sustainable path towards increased yields and reduced costs in agricultural activity. However, there are still several risks and limitations to the region’s development and use of bioinputs.
Comparative study on the distribution of value in European chocolate chains - Executive summary
05/2024
The low level of income of most small cocoa farmers, especially in Western Africa, has been a growing issue in the cocoa sector for the past three decades, furthermore, ensuring a living income for small cocoa farmers has become a pressing issue across producing countries.
Priority areas for irrigation investments in Belize
03/2024
The main focus of this report is on climate-resilient irrigation and drainage (I&D) investments, with the aim to improve agricultural production and productivity in Belize. To achieve this task, FAO has developed an innovative methodology based on the preparation of a multi-criteria framework.
Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments - Field guide guide
12/2023
More than a decade has passed since the publication of the series entitled Social Analysis of Agriculture and Rural Investment Projects, which comprises three complementary manuals – the Manager’s, Practitioner’s and Field guides.
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Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments - Practitioner's guide
12/2023
More than a decade has passed since the publication of the series entitled Social Analysis of Agriculture and Rural Investment Projects, which comprises three complementary manuals – the Manager’s, Practitioner’s and Field guides.
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Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments - Manager's guide
12/2023
More than a decade has passed since the publication of the series entitled Social Analysis of Agriculture and Rural Investment Projects, which comprises three complementary manuals – the Manager’s, Practitioner’s and Field guides.
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Climate-smart policies to enhance Egypt's agrifood system performance and sustainability
11/2023
Having tested climate smart agriculture (CSA) in four of Egypt’s most significant value chains – dairy, dates, maize and wheat – the authors demonstrate that CSA practices, technologies and policies will increase agricultural productivity and incomes, strengthen resilience to climate change and improve mitigation of its effects.
Pathways to profit - Experimental evidence on agricultural technology adoption
10/2023
This brief focuses on the profitability of adopting technology for farmers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and examines the financial sustainability of these investments over time. The evidence presented here can help researchers and policymakers better understand farmer characteristics and favourable conditions for technology adoption, identify constraints inhibiting adoption, and draw lessons to replicate or scale successful policies around technology adoption in agriculture.
Food Systems Profile – Malawi Catalysing the sustainable and inclusive transformation of food systems
09/2023
This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Malawi and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and inclusive transformation.
Food Systems Assessment: Palestine Country Profile
06/2023
This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Palestine and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and inclusive transformation.
Food Systems Profile - Uganda Catalysing the sustainable and inclusive transformation of food systems
06/2023
This Food Systems Profile provides a summary of the main food system issues in Palestine and highlights potential solutions for their sustainable and inclusive transformation.
Local sourcing - A guide for the hotel, restaurant, catering and tourism industries
05/2023
Local food sourcing strengthens links between HoReCa tourist businesses and farmers. It makes for a better guest experience, improves sustainability, gives local suppliers greater market access and creates business and employment opportunities in rural areas. It also promotes biodiversity, preserves traditional food production methods, reduces food waste and brings tourism revenue to more diverse rural areas.
FAO Investment Centre - Annual Review 2022
05/2023
In 2022, the Centre helped design 45 IFI-approved public investment projects in 34 countries for a total of USD 8.8 billion in new investment – up 22 percent from the previous year’s USD 7.2 billion. And it provided implementation support to 275 ongoing investment projects representing a portfolio worth over USD 44.5 billion. Also notable were contributions to 52 agricultural studies, 25 sector studies, 17 policy studies and 6 policy dialogues and the publication of 34 new knowledge products.
FAO Investment Centre - 2022 at a glance
05/2023
FAO is committed to helping countries achieve a healthier, more sustainable future. That means finding the right combination of policies, innovations and public and private investment to help them realize the promise of the four betters – better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all.
Investing in farmers: Agriculture human capital investment strategies
05/2023
Investing in farmers – or agriculture human capital – is crucial to addressing challenges in our agri-food systems. A global...
Climate-smart agriculture in China: from policy to investment
04/2023
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a comprehensive system that requires thorough consideration of local climate, natural environment, market demand, economic and...
Analysing beef price incentives to strengthen policies for production and exports in Uganda - Technical note
04/2023
In Uganda, 58 percent of households depend on livestock for their livelihoods, with cattle being the most important livestock subsector...
How to invest in farmers? - A guide for agriculture human capital investment projects
04/2023
Investing in farmers – or agriculture human capital – is crucial to addressing challenges in our agrifood systems. A global...