Why, in what and how to invest for food and nutritional security in Latin America and the Caribbean

The document examines the worsening Food and Nutritional Security (FNS) in Latin America and the Caribbean, a crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change, low economic growth, and food inflation that reached 23.5% in 2021. As a result, in 2022, approximately 248 million people—37.4% of the population—faced food insecurity, with a particularly severe impact in rural areas, where extreme poverty is double the regional average. The region also experiences a higher-than-average cost of a healthy diet, hindering access. To eradicate hunger by 2030, the report estimates that Latin America and the Caribbean requires an additional annual investment of US$8 billion, distributed across a portfolio of cost-effective interventions in four areas: food systems, climate resilience, social protection, and rural infrastructure. It is recommended to prioritize USD 6 billion in rural infrastructure and agriculture —especially family farming— because it is three times more effective in reducing poverty, sustains up to 77% of agricultural employment, and is fundamental to ensuring universal and sustainable access to food.