The Hand-in-Hand Initiative actively helps transform agrifood systems by creating more opportunities

31.07.2024

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIH) supports the development of country-led programmes to accelerate agrifood systems transformations by eradicating poverty, ending hunger and malnutrition, and reducing inequalities, towards achieving the SDGs.

Launched in 2019, it is a flagship of the Organization and one of its core priority programme areas. As of June 2024, 72 countries are actively involved in and benefiting from the initiative. At the Investment Forum 2023, countries were seeking USD 16.5 billion in agrifood investments, with a reported 2.4 billion now committed or in negotiation. And, as of then, HIH has had over 154 million beneficiaries.

HIH uses innovative geospatial mapping techniques and data analysis, along with building strong partnerships. By doing this, HIH helps transform agrifood systems by creating more opportunities. As a result, HIH’s work raises incomes, improves the nutritional status and wellbeing of poor and vulnerable populations, and strengthens resilience to climate change.

The Paraguay 2024 Rural Investment Forum took place recently, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. During this important event, Máximo Torero, Chief Economist, detailed that “In this Investment Forum, we presented the Hand-in-Hand methodology and how it can help Paraguay advance its investments," showcasing yet another example of the global success of FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

For Paraguay, this means organizing investment opportunities not only by sector but also determining at the district level where an impact can be made with investments in one value chain or another to make decisions where human and investment capital can yield significant results.

This event is part of Paraguay's preparation for its upcoming participation in the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, organized each year by FAO under the umbrella of the World Food Forum. This year, the third edition will be held from 15-17 October. This will be Paraguay's second year participating in the HIH Investment Forum. See the country's HIH webpage here.

In 2023, Paraguay presented the results of a joint public-private effort through investment plans in the dairy and banana value chains. In the case of the banana value chain, the interventions intend to optimise banana production on the farms of family farmers to increase their incomes, promote exports to new international markets and enhance banana processing in the departments of Caaguazú, San Pedro and Cordillera.

For the dairy sector, the country aims to improve the productive systems of family farmers and medium-sized dairy producers. They seek to increase production and improve the quality of milk in the family farming segment, in particular.

This national investment forum included several high-level presentations and technical panels, to showcase Paraguay's progress in identifying investment plans through a Territorial Typologies Platform (read more here). The event also offered an opportunity to foster dialogue and coordination between different economic agents.

Iván Felipe León Ayala, FAOR Paraguay, explained the significance of the Rural Investment Forum. “We were able to engage in discussions about a country that is predominantly agricultural, to continue consolidating this sector, to attract efficient investments and achieve greater productivity, benefiting the entire population."

Overall, these economic activities have experienced significant growth at the national level and involve various stakeholders. Starting this year, Paraguay will also add a new investment plan focused on the aquaculture sector.

Máximo highlighted the incredible achievement of the forum, explaining that “There are many opportunities in these investment plans, and the goal is to go beyond them, analyse more value chains, and create an investment bank to prioritise public investment and attract private and multilateral investments to achieve the transformation needed to reduce poverty and accelerate growth in Paraguay.”

During the forum's dialogue, three important next steps were also discussed to achieve sustainable development in the country.

Firstly, consolidating a national public-private team including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and production guilds is crucial to facilitate the collection of data and guide future investments. Secondly, Paraguay must work to form an investment portfolio with other initiatives for diverse value chains. Finally, the country plans to mobilise investments through specific projects.

For more information about HIH and country engagement, see here.

Read about other national investment forums: Bhutan, Asia-Pacific Regional Forum.