Innovation and Knowledge for Investment (IK4I)
The Investment Centre provides a strong evidence-based voice on investment and finance solutions through its Innovation and Knowledge for Investment (IK4I) 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
New book traces the FAO Investment Centre’s evolution over its first 60 years
19/12/2025
For over six decades, the FAO Investment Centre has helped countries invest in agrifood systems to reduce hunger, poverty and malnutrition and advance sustainable development.
A new publication, “The FAO Investment Centre, 60 Years Young, 1964–2024”, traces the Centre’s evolution over its first 60 years.
The potential of bioinputs for greener agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean
17/06/2025
The Centre published Bioinputs: investment opportunities in Latin America. The report, part of FAO’s IK4I series, examines the economic viability, investment potential and social and environmental benefits of agricultural bioinputs in the region Agricultural bioinputs – products from plants, animals or microbes – are often used as supplements or natural alternatives to more synthetic agrochemicals.
Urban agriculture is experiencing a growth spurt
22/01/2025
Feeding our cities: How the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the movement of food in urban areas
02/12/2024
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way food is moved, sold and bought in urban areas worldwide – creating some new trends and accelerating others.
Latest publications
FAO Investment Centre 60 years young 1964–2024
12/2025
The 60-year journey of the FAO Investment Centre tells a remarkable story of technical excellence and trusted partnerships. It also reflects the vision...
Brochure
Investing in people for better agrifood jobs
10/2025
The FAO Investment Centre connects these dimensions by ensuring physical and financial investments are matched with investments in people. It integrates...
Annual Reviews
FAO Investment Centre – Annual review 2024
06/2025
FAO, through its Investment Centre, collaborates with countries and a growing network of financing and knowledge partners to provide investment and...
Annual Reviews
FAO Investment Centre - 2024 at a glance
06/2025
FAO is intensifying its efforts with financing partners to crowd in public and private investment for a more food-secure, resilient and sustainable...
Directions in Investment
Agrifood systems in the voluntary carbon market: Status and prospects
04/2025
This report constitutes the first global assessment of the agrifood sector in the voluntary carbon market (VCM), which is where carbon credits are issued,...
Directions in Investment
Investing in trade digitalization: the case of ePhyto
03/2025
This report examines how the ePhyto solution can facilitate the export trade of four countries where the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development...
Directions in Investment
Understanding commercial urban agriculture: An overview
01/2025
From 2021 through 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, University of Bologna, Wageningen University and Research, University...
Country Investment Highlights
Digital technologies for agriculture in Türkiye: A review
01/2025
Available in Turkish. This study reviews the current state of digital technologies in agriculture in Türkiye. Following a brief review of key trends...
Investment Briefs
Accessing finance to invest in agrifood: A review of experimental evidence
12/2024
This brief focuses on the impacts of finance access on farmers’ investments and how it can enable investments in farms and businesses. It examines experimental...
Directions in Investment
Building resilience in urban food logistics systems
11/2024
This report explores the transformative impact of recent global disruptions on urban food logistics. Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic...
Directions in Investment
Towards a new generation of climate-efficient agrifood systems infrastructure: Conceptual framework and analytical review
11/2024
This report aims to shed light on the need for greater and smarter investments in AFS infrastructure, and how they can contribute to global economic,...
Supporting development finance institutions financing private agrifood investments
11/2024
The Investment Centre acts as a bridge between countries and financing partners to create the enabling conditions for greater public and private investment...