Agriculture and Food Security

Our main goal is to accelerate growth of agricultural output in Latin America and the Caribbean while promoting efficient and sustainable management of natural resources. Through sustained growth in the sector, the Bank is helping to enhance food security, increased incomes for the rural population and reduce poverty.

To maintain or increase agricultural growth and to face the challenges of feeding an increasing population and adapting to the impacts of climate change, the IDB helps farmers increase their productivity with greater access to markets, better agricultural services and increased investments.

We support the modernization of agricultural services; improving market access for farmers; investments in rural infrastructure; and support payments for farmers.

Areas of Action

By the numbers

1.9%

Agriculture in the region suffers from a slow growth in productivity. The annual rate of growth of total productivity in the region grew only 1.9 percent between 1961 and 2007. More>>

News and Views

Latin American Agriculture and Climate Change

IDB to back low carbon agricultural products in Latin America to help on climate change mitigation

Feb 4, 2011.

Fostering new technologies in agriculture

FONTAGRO is an alliance of 15 countries to fund research and innovation in the agricultural sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Feb 3, 2011.

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Projects Highlights

Preparation

Dominican Republic. INCLUSION OF SMES IN THE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SUPPLY CHAIN.
Guyana. Access to global markets by small and medium sized tilapia exporters.
Haiti. Institutional Strengthening and Reform of the Agriculture Sector.

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Approved

Dominican Republic. Preparation of the Agricultural Research and Development Program. Jan 30, 2012
Nicaragua. Support for Sustainable Agricultural Productivity Improvement. Jan 30, 2012
Uruguay. Estancias del Lago. Jan 1, 2012

More >>

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Technology for a New Climate

Farmers in Northern Peru are learning to adapt to weather changes thanks to the application of WEAP, a new software that helps make decisions based on hydrological and climatic simulations.

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Technology for a New Climate (03:50)

Brazil: Intelligent Crops

From the labs of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), a new breed of seeds and harvesting techniques are revolutionizing agriculture and helping Brazil adapt to climate change.

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Brazil: Intelligent Crops (04:30)

Mi Escuela Saludable SWASH+

More than 23,000 children from Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala will soon be able to attend schools with better conditions as result of the School Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Education (SWASH+) Program.

Boosting Peru’s agricultural productivity

Better beans against poverty:

Crops ready for export:

Agriculture Loans