SICA Region Advances Toward More Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems

Representatives from the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) presented the main progress achieved under the framework of the Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIH) “Building resilience in the Central American Dry Corridor and arid zones of the Dominican Republic”, implemented under the leadership of the SICA General Secretariat with the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The results were presented at the Regional Dialogue “Food and Water Security in the Region: A Hand-in-Hand Agenda”, held in Santo Domingo, with the participation of the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, accompanied by members of his cabinet, as well as FAO’s Chief Economist and Acting Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Máximo Torero Cullen.

This space, designed to mobilize investments, strengthen partnerships, and foster regional cooperation, also brought together ministers and representatives from multilateral banks, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, and other cooperation agencies.

With the active participation of SICA countries, and the institutional support of the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC), the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), and the Regional Center for the Promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (CENPROMYPE), the Hand-in-Hand Initiative is accelerating agricultural transformation and rural development toward essential public goods, providing evidence-based, lasting, and relevant solutions to address the challenges of climate variability in the region.

Key Advances in the SICA Region

During the meeting, experts highlighted five major areas of progress:

Climate Risk Agricultural Zoning (ZARC): Validated in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador with the support of the Government of Brazil, this tool is enabling 80% accuracy in determining optimal planting periods for priority crops that ensure food and nutrition security in the Dry Corridor and arid zones, leading to a 23% increase in production.

Digital Soil Mapping: To address challenges posed by climate change, soil degradation, and misuse of inputs, the SoilFER project—supported by the U.S. Government—adopts a holistic approach, from field soil sampling to advanced laboratory analyses, integrated soil information systems, and decision-support tools, including tailored fertilizer recommendations. Technical teams underscored that the added value of this digital mapping lies in the high-resolution maps, which will allow for soil management decisions at a much more localized scale than ever before.

MSMEs and Digital Ecosystems: Under the leadership of CENPROMYPE and with financial support from the European Union, more than 600 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the Dry Corridor have been strengthened, contributing to job creation and, in turn, reducing forced migration.

Integrated Water Solutions: The initiative has systematized and adapted several water technologies, making them a priority in national agendas and investment agreements with financial institutions. These efforts are also aligned with discussions on development-accelerating technologies and poverty eradication in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty launched by Brazil at the G20.

Strengthening Agricultural Research Institutes: The initiative also supports the national agricultural research institutes of SICA countries, identifying technologies for generating short-cycle, drought-tolerant genetic material to boost production in the Dry Corridor and arid areas.

In the coming months, a series of events are planned to advance the implementation of this strategy, the most important of which is the Investment Forum held annually in October at FAO Headquarters in Rome, in the framework of World Food Day.