Costa Rica launches national pathway for more sustainable agrifood systems

Costa Rica has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable agrifood systems with the launch of its revised National Pathway Costa Rica towards sustainable and healthy agrifood systems 2023-26: From the field to the plate. The document, produced in the context of the United Nations Food Systems Summit, proposes 21 actions to achieve multiple outcomes of agrifood systems under a single framework.

A collaborative endeavour

The development of this important policy framework was led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, with the support of FAO, and in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Costa Rica’s Institute of Technology.

The priorities outlined in the document feed from four national dialogues in 2021 that convened over 500 actors representing producers, local traders, exporters, service providers, gastronomy specialists, academia, technology providers, NGO representatives, Indigenous Peoples, and others. Additionally, they build on insights from two workshops in 2023 with key public institutions and knowledge centres responsible for governing national agrifood systems.

The collaborative design of the National Pathway contributed to a better understanding of the complex and interrelated challenges facing Costa Rica’s agrifood systems. This process has inspired the creation of a multisectoral Technical Committee tasked with monitoring the implementation of the actions proposed in the National Pathway, discussing ideas to unlock bottlenecks, and promoting synergies among stakeholders working on complementary initiatives.

A systemic perspective for agrifood systems transformation

This comprehensive and collaborative initiative aims to promote sustainable consumption and production practices, bolster local markets, enhance product traceability, and ensure equitable access to diverse, nutritious foods for all citizens. Ultimately, the launch of Costa Rica's National Pathway underscores the nation's alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030.

“The transformation towards more sustainable, healthy, equitable and resilient agrifood systems requires coordination between the government, public sector and private actors to jointly promote actions that improve livelihoods, generate greater social cohesion and safeguard environmental sustainability for future generations, leaving no one behind.” Allegra Baiocchi, UN Resident Coordinator in Costa Rica

The full document can be accessed here: https://www.mag.go.cr/bibliotecavirtual/E10-11145.pdf

For more information about the initiative, please contact:

José Valls Bedeau
Policy Officer, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO
[email protected]
&
Andrea Padilla
Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), FAO Costa Rica
[email protected]