Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
Up to 70% of agricultural productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is reduced when environmental costs are taken into account. The increase in production has been driven mainly by the intensive use of inputs rather than by technological or managerial improvements, highlighting the need for policies that integrate sustainability and innovation. (IDB, 2025)
In 2023, the relative internal productivity of the Agriculture sector in Latin America and the Caribbean was 44 (with total productivity coefficient = 100), showing its lag compared to sectors with higher productivity, according to the sectoral graph of the report (ECLAC, 2025).
The agricultural sector is undergoing a profound transformation: in 2025, the country achieved a production of over 700,000 tons of rice for the first time.( Ali, M. I., y Mustapha, Z. , 2025)
84% of deforestation in the Amazon is caused by agriculture and cattle ranching, these being the main sources of ecological degradation (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
17% of the total area of the Amazon is affected by mining, contributing significantly to environmental degradation (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
9.4% of the total area of the Amazon (797,824 km2) is composed of oil blocks, representing another important source of pressure on the ecosystem (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
100% of the territory of Guyana and Suriname is considered part of the Amazon, being the only fully Amazonian countries (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
0.22% of the Amazonian area in Guyana was deforested between 2001 and 2020, presenting the lowest deforestation rate among Amazonian countries (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
26% of the forested Amazon has already been affected by the combination of deforestation and severe land degradation (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
The 8 Amazonian countries are home to more than 40 million residents in the region, underscoring the importance of developing a bioeconomy that benefits this significant population (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
