Paraguay’s Rural Investment Forum 2025 strengthens strategic public–private partnerships under FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative

29.08.2024
 

The second edition of the Rural Investment Forum Paraguay 2025, held on 24 July in Asunción under the Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative, brought together high-level representatives from government, producers’ associations, the private sector, academia, international cooperation delegations, and technical experts.

Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) – with the participation of the Crédito Agrícola de Habilitación (CAH), the Development Finance Agency (AFD), the event assessed Paraguay’s agricultural capacity and identified priorities for enabling investments in high-potential value chains and territories. 

It also showcased national and international best practices, promoted criteria for prioritizing territorial investments, and fostered strategic dialogue among public, private, and international stakeholders.

Driving investment through the Hand-in-Hand Initiative

Led and driven by the member countries, FAO's HIH Initiative aims to increase the flow of public and private investments into the agricultural sector to reduce poverty, improve food security, and promote sustainable development in rural areas of developing countries.

Paraguay joined the Initiative in 2022, and since then, under the leadership of MAG and MEF, has been developing a targeted investment strategy focused on high-potential value chains and territories. Updated typology maps for Paraguay’s agricultural and livestock production were developed with the Government, identifying priority territories and value chains for agrifood investment.

FAO Representative in Paraguay, Iván Felipe León Ayala, highlighted the Initiative’s role in guiding investment decisions:

“States define the what – the direction they want to follow – and FAO can support with the how, providing tools, knowledge, and experience to ensure investments are strategic, inclusive, and impactful.”

FAO Representative in Paraguay, Iván Felipe León Ayala, at the opening of the Forum.

A strategic vision for agriculture

During the Forum, Vice Minister of Economy and Planning, Felipe González Soley, presented the Government’s vision for stimulating economic development through investments that promote inclusion, sustainability, and productive diversification. He stressed that the agricultural sector remains “a relevant pillar” of the national economy, contributing to employment, exports, and global food security.

He also underscored that the country’s key challenge is advancing economic diversification that fosters balanced territorial development and strengthens the links between agriculture, infrastructure, services, and innovation.

Vice Minister of Economy and Planning of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), Felipe González Soley delivering remarks at the Rural Investment Forum Paraguay 2025

“Inclusive and sustained growth requires investments in both capacities and infrastructure and technology to enhance the strengths of the territories,” he noted.

Building investment pipelines

As part of its HIH engagement, Paraguay has participated in the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum in Rome for two consecutive years (2023–2024), presenting investment notes for the dairy sector, banana, and aquaculture. 

Carlos Giménez, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Paraguay, presenting investment cases at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum 2024.

For the 2025 edition, scheduled for 14–17 October in Rome, Paraguay will present two investment cases on aquaculture and financial inclusion.

• Aquaculture has grown rapidly in recent years but lacks investment to integrate small producers, boost fish consumption, and improve market access. The proposal calls for investment in infrastructure development, producer training, marketing, along with nutrition awareness campaigns.
• Financial inclusion remains low, with only 13 percent of small producers accessing credit. The new investment proposal, developed under HIH, aims to expand access through integrated approaches combining financing, technical assistance, and market-focused support, enabling small producers and MSMEs to better participate in dynamic value chains.

A platform for dialogue and action

The Forum served as a national platform to strengthen investment in agrifood systems through productive dialogue, coordination, and knowledge exchange. Participants analyzed experiences, identified barriers and opportunities, and discussed strategic frameworks to mobilize resources, strengthen institutions, and create long-term solutions for sustainable territorial development.

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Giménez, stressed that forums like this are key to driving targeted investments and informed policymaking. “Paraguay has strong productive potential that must be strategically directed through investments, and these meetings make it possible to assess the country’s current situation, helping to improve and adjust public policies,” he said.

By aligning investment, policy, and technical expertise, Paraguay’s Rural Investment Forum 2025 reaffirmed the country’s commitment to leveraging the HIH Initiative to transform its agricultural sector for inclusive and sustainable growth.