Innovation ecosystem for the agri-food sector in Latin America and the Caribbean

Who we are

Unique cooperation mechanism for co-financing science, technology, and innovation for the agrifood sector in LAC

Legal representation and partnership

The Inter-American Development Bank, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.

Solid governance structure

Alliances and partnerships

452 partners in 33 countries

Capital of US$102 million

15 member countries

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Investment in 167 innovation platforms since 1998, US$124.5 million (US$28 million direct financing)

Philosophy and Strategy

Vision

Transform agri-food systems through knowledge to be more inclusive and sustainable with the environment and society.

Mission

Lead the regional articulation, cooperation, and dialogue strategy through sustainable co-financing of public goods initiatives that contribute to better knowledge and innovation of agri-food systems and better quality of life for society.

Values

  • Integrity
  • Solidarity
  • Efficacy
  • Transparency
  • Respect

strategies

  • Strategy 1: Resilient, sustainable, farm networks.
  • Strategy 2: Productive Systems, agroecosystems, and sustainable territories.
  • Strategy 3: Food, nutrition, and health.
Where we work
What we do

We facilitate dialogue, collaboration, and cooperation between public and private life science research and innovation institutions.

We promote sustainable cofinance of science, technology, and innovation in the agrifood sector of Latin American and the Caribbean.

We invest in multistakeholders platforms to accelerate innovation and regional public goods creation.

We build capacities to support the transformation and change of the agri-food systems to be more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive with the environment and society.

FONTAGRO´s contribution to innovation: case studies and the economic ex-post assessment

7

projects

US$8.1 million

projects

US$83.3 million

benefit

2. Sweet potato (genetic and nutrition, 1998)

Investment: US$970.000

Benefits: US$19,192,934

2. Native potato (biodiversity and markets, 2005)

Investment: US$1,006,405

Benefits: US$204,257

5. Potato: new varieties (genetics and seed production, 2007)

Investment: US$1,123,594

Benefits: US$52,185,897

3. Musaceae (seed production and integrated disease management, 2006)

Investment: US$621,216

Benefits: US$785,705

6. Horticulture (sustainable production and bioinputs, 2007)

Investment: US$924,400

Benefits: US$906,478

Final ideas
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Agriculture has been, is, and will be critical in all LAC economies.

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The solid governance structure and the regional multi-stakeholder innovation platforms have been, are, and will be a fundamental element for the competitiveness of the agrifood sector.

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The competitiveness of an economy lies in its capacity for innovation.

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Strategic partnerships and collaboration are fundamental not only for increasing investments but also for strengthening sustainable impact.

Promoting innovation in
family farming through initiatives and projects.