Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
21% is the average reduction in wheat yields caused by mild drought conditions; rice yields decrease by 17% on average.
More than 60% of irrigated cropland experiences high water stress, while 11% of rainfed cropland and 14% of pastureland are affected by frequent droughts.
3 billion additional people could be exposed to water stress by 2050 when water quality is incorporated into water scarcity assessments.
21% of the world's inland wetlands has been lost since 1700, representing approximately 3.4 million km².
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).
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).
A 7% increase in production could be achieved with small-scale irrigation projects (CAF, 2025).
