FAO Investment Centre

Knowledge for Investment (K4I)

Knowledge for Investment (K4I)

The Investment Centre provides a strong evidence-based voice on investment and finance solutions through its Knowledge for Investment (K4I) work. 

By harnessing FAO’s technical expertise and leveraging partnerships with key financing and research institutions, the Centre fills critical knowledge gaps. It also shares the latest thinking and practical tools to support investment. 

The growing body of investment knowledge products covers a wide range of topics – from scaling up agrifood investments for and by youth in Africa, to decarbonizing agrifood systems, among many others.

Latest stories
Bioinputs opportunities in Latin America, 3-language banner
27/05/2024
The recently published "Bioinputs: Investment Opportunities in Latin America" by the FAO Investment Centre provides a comprehensive examination of the potential role of bioinputs in the region’s transition towards more sustainable agri-food systems.
Can smallholder farmers in Honduras and Guatemala export deforestation-free coffee to the European Union
21/05/2024
The recently agreed European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is set to transform coffee production in Central America, bringing more sustainable practices which conserve forests and the environment.
Alessandro Marini in 2024
08/02/2024
The Investment Centre is strengthening its ability to respond to the growing and evolving needs of countries and investors. Alessandro Marini, who recently joined as Chief of the newly created West and Central Africa Service, shared his thoughts on the importance of embracing change and taking risks. 
Giovanni Muñoz in 2023
23/01/2024
Giovanni Munoz, the Investment Centre's Service Chief for East and Southern Africa, reflects on a long career in the agriculture sector, his vision for the region and why getting out of one's comfort zone is good.
Latest publications
Bioinputs: Investment opportunities in Latin America
Directions in Investment
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...

Country Investment Highlights
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...

Investment Toolkits
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...

Investment Toolkits
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...

Investment Toolkits
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...

Country Investment Highlights
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...

Investment Briefs
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...

Directions in Investment
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...

Country Investment Highlights
Conservation agriculture in China: innovations, investment opportunities and challenges
04/2023

While the agricultural production in China has made great achievements, it is also facing challenges affecting the sustainable development of...

Investment Toolkits
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...

Country Investment Highlights
Sustainable agricultural mechanization in China: a comprehensive review
04/2023

Sustainable agricultural mechanization covers all levels of farming and processing technologies, and takes into consideration technological, economic,...

Investing in agriculture human capital - Roles for the private sector
04/2023

The objective of this brief is to assess the role of the private sector in developing human capital among smallholders....