Food systems research across LAC
Findings from Phase One reveal notable variation in the availability of reliable evidence across countries in LAC. The Teams identified a significantly larger body of evidence related to Brazil and Mexico compared to other countries in the region. In contrast, relatively few studies were found for Central American countries, despite their considerable food security and nutrition challenges. Caribbean countries, with their distinct island food systems and dependence on food imports were only analyzed six times in the examined literature. Similarly, only seven studies focused on Argentina, even though it is one of the region’s largest food exporters.
Policy Which public interventions implemented across Latin America and Caribbean countries contribute to sustainable agriculture and food outcomes? To build more sustainable agriculture and food systems, governments must create an enabling environment of innovative policies that catalyzes positive changes from farm to fork. Latin American and Caribbean countries have introduced a multitude of interventions to promote sustainability, but the efficacy of these actions is often uncertain. This team maps and analyzes regulations, services, investments and other policy actions, adopted from 2010 to 2023, to identify the characteristics of a successful enabling environment.
Technology What interventions have contributed to the adoption of technologies and practices across Latin America and Caribbean countries that promote sustainability in the bovine sector at the farm level? Substantial progress has been made to develop more environmentally friendly technologies and practices that allow for balanced improvements across the four pillars of sustainability. However, many Latin American and the Caribbean producers have yet to adopt these transformative innovations. The bovine sector, which has grown rapidly across the region, could benefit from existing technologies that reduce emissions and input use while providing better livelihoods and economic growth. With this in mind, the team provides insights into strategies for promoting technology adoption at the farm level for healthier and more sustainable production.
Institutions What incentives and mechanisms can support and scale climate action in the agrifood system at the national level across Latin America and the Caribbean? The right mix of incentives and mechanisms will contribute to the rapid adoption of low-carbon and climate-smart solutions that increase productivity, help maintain ecosystems, strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, and contribute to more sustainable and resilient food production systems. Implementation of climate-smart practices requires significant investment. This group seeks to make recommendations about incentives and mechanisms to attract financial resources for ensuring competitive, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural production systems. This mapping and scoping review identifies current practices across countries and explore their effectiveness in achieving higher levels of adoption, resource mobilization, and scalability.
The Policy team reviewed the literature to understand how food systems interventions in LAC lead to positive outcomes. They found that: Financial services and incentives help farmers adopt new technologies, boost their income and productivity, use land more sustainably, and improve access to credit. Technology transfers, especially when combined with financial support, encourage the use of new practices and lead to higher productivity. Labeling and certification programs increase acceptance of sustainable practices and promote greater knowledge and innovation. Social policies improve access to food, make it more affordable, and enhance dietary diversity. They also support innovation and help people accept new technologies.
Map of intervention and outcome
The Policy team analyzed 64 studies to understand what kinds of interventions work, what helps them succeed, and what results they produce. They found that: Financial factors—like access to credit or funding—were the most common enablers. These were especially important for interventions supporting production, markets (13 studies), and governance (8 studies), and were often linked to economic sustainability (13 studies). However, they were less often connected to social or environmental benefits. Institutional and policy support was mostly associated with governance efforts (9 studies) and was often found in research focused on environmental sustainability (9 studies). Twelve studies mentioned four or more different types of supportive factors. These were grouped under a Multifaceted Enabling Environment and were mainly linked to economic and environmental benefits. Overall, studies that looked at environmental or social sustainability tended to highlight a wider range of supportive factors, while those focused on economic outcomes relied more heavily on financial enablers.
Interventions, facilitators, impacts
Source: Pineiro et al. Forthcoming
Many studies analyzed by the institutions team highlighted finance as a key factor for successful interventions, especially when there were enough financial resources available. Supportive policies and strong political will also helped projects succeed. On the other hand, common challenges included limited knowledge among stakeholders and weak organizational capacity, pointing to areas that need more attention during project planning. Complex administrative processes, whether related to technology, policies, or how programs are delivered, were more often seen as obstacles than as helpful. These findings show the need to simplify implementation so that programs are easier for the target populations to use and benefit from.
Barriers and facilitators
Findings from Phase One reveal notable variation in the availability of reliable evidence across countries in LAC. The Teams identified a significantly larger body of evidence related to Brazil and Mexico compared to other countries in the region. In contrast, relatively few studies were found for Central American countries, despite their considerable food security and nutrition challenges. Caribbean countries, with their distinct island food systems and dependence on imports were only analyzed six times in the examined literature. Similarly, only seven studies focused on Argentina, even though it is one of the region’s largest food exporters.
