Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
200 millimeters of rain in a single day may occur during localized extreme events associated with El Niño in Paraguay, creating problems for production.
September onward is the period when Paraguay’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock expects El Niño could have a significant impact, coinciding with the start of the rainy season.
More than 100,000 people in 250 rural communities benefited from anticipatory actions implemented in nine countries during the 2023-2024 El Niño event, with increases of up to 40% in maize and bean production in some Central American countries.
100 million people in LAC face water scarcity despite the region holding 34% of the planet's renewable freshwater (FAO, 2026).
61% probability is estimated by WMO that El Niño will bring severe droughts to Belize, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, threatening crops and water supplies in countries already facing high imported food prices due to the Iran conflict (The Guardian, 2026).
A 14% increase in yields is obtained with in situ water retention techniques (CAF, 2025).
84% of agriculture in LAC depends exclusively on rainwater (CAF, 2025).
Five times more cultivated area could be achieved with large-scale irrigation financed by CAF (CAF, 2025).
Large-scale irrigation infrastructure could generate a 0.34% increase in yields (CAF, 2025).
Increases in productive assets, such as livestock, are associated with access to irrigation (CAF, 2025).
