Stakeholders during the National Consultation ©FAO/Chrishane Williams

During a one-day meeting organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), stakeholders identified national needs within the framework of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. This process was a first step in allowing FAO to formulate its Regional Initiatives for the next biennium 2020-2021 and assist in developing a national country programming framework and work plan for the biennium.

The meeting focused on three areas for support: inclusive and rural growth, healthy food for all, and sustainable, productive and resilient agriculture and agro-food systems. Some of the major points emanating from the discussion were the importance of forging partnerships with the private sector and lead organizations and the role of youth in agriculture. Participants also examined the need to support the development of climate-smart technologies and enabling small farmers to access non-traditional markets. The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) in agriculture was another major point raised. The participants also expressed a need for the design of school feeding programmes that provided healthy and nutritious meals sources from small farmers within the community.

Next Steps

Minister of Agriculture across the region will later meet to discuss their national priorities to reach consensus on the overarching regional issues for which FAO support will be sought over the next biennium. These areas for support will be further decided on by the Ministers from the region during the 36th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC) in 2020 in Nicaragua.