Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
500% has increased agricultural productivity in the last seven decades thanks to the incorporation of scientists and technologists from various areas, from genetics to irrigation, fertilization, mechanization, and recently robotics, digitalization, and biotechnology (Velásquez, A., 2025).
25 times higher is the proportional investment in agricultural research and development in North America and Europe (51%) compared to Latin America and the Caribbean (2%), evidencing a deep technological gap according to UNESCO data (2021) (Velásquez, A., 2025).
100% of large-scale U.S. agricultural producers use satellite information, much of it generated by NASA, to feed their automated precision agriculture systems for irrigation, fertilization, and other activities (Velásquez, A., 2025).
51% of global investment in research and development corresponds to North America and Europe, while Asia represents 39%, leaving only the remaining 10% for other regions including Latin America, according to UNESCO data (2021) (Velásquez, A., 2025).
1% of GDP exceeds Brazil's investment in science and technology, being the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean that reaches this threshold, according to CAF's Agricultural Prosperity Strategy based on UNESCO data (Velásquez, A., 2025).
2% of global investment in agricultural research and development corresponds to Latin America and the Caribbean, well below North America and Europe (51%) or Asia (39%), according to UNESCO data (2021) cited by CAF (Velásquez, A., 2025).
50% of the differences in income and growth observed in Latin America correspond to differences in total factor productivity, attributed to technological progress and innovation (Umaña, 2009).
90% of global research and development activity is carried out in rich countries, evidencing an international pattern of inequality and disadvantage that limits the innovation capabilities of developing countries (Sabel & Reddy, 2006).
80% of financial institutions that improve their ability to assess the solvency of companies increase their willingness to lend on more favorable terms to employees and families of capable companies, generating a multiplier effect in the economy (Sabel & Reddy, 2006).
17% to 45% has been the range of participation of high-tech products among Costa Rica's exports in the last two decades, with 13% of the labor force employed by foreign companies from the zona franca regime (Campos et al., 2024).
