Accelerating agricultural innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean: The crucial role of public investment data in science.

In the face of rapid global changes, the agricultural sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) stands at a crossroads. The region, known for its rich biodiversity and considerable agricultural output, is increasingly challenged by climate change, political and economic pressures, and the need for efficient and effective innovations to sustain the transformation of agrifood systems toward more sustainable practices.

Leveraging investment in agricultural science, technology, and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Climate change poses severe impacts on and risks to agriculture, food, and nutrition, particularly for smallholders. Agricultural researchers are tasked with deciphering interconnected variables-from soil characteristics and nutrient cycles to water and biodiversity-to create a robust framework for technological advancements. Increasing sustainability, resilience, and productivity is an urgent need that requires approaches to research and innovation tailored to both regional and country-specific challenges. One compelling model of regional collaboration is FONTAGRO, the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology, which for 25 years has combined public and private institutions in supporting science, technology, and innovation within the agrifood sector in Latin American and the Caribbean. The science-based evidence that emerges is strategic not only for its local application but also for its potential in other regions of the world and capacity to accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems.