Our situation
The agriculture sector in the Americas is highly vulnerable to various factors, including economic shocks, pests, diseases, soil degradation, water scarcity and climate variability. The region is particularly susceptible to extreme events, such as droughts, floods and storms, which threaten food production and farmers' livelihoods. Furthermore, reliance on monoculture systems and unsustainable agricultural practices exacerbates the fragility of the system, reducing its ability to adapt to changing conditions. Lack of access to technology, financing and training limits the implementation of resilient agricultural practices, putting food security and rural development at risk. Therefore, strengthening the resilience of agriculture in the Hemisphere is crucial to guaranteeing a sustainable food supply and improving the quality of life in rural communities.
FoHRSA is a financial mechanism requested by our 34 Member States in the Americas being implemented by the Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) with the purpose of mobilizing, managing and executing new financial resources, both reimbursable and non-reimbursable, with the aim of strengthening the institutional, technical and administrative capacities necessary to implement programs and projects that improve resilience and the adaptive capacity of the agrifood systems in the Americas. Likewise, it will serve as a bridge to urgently address high-impact phenomena, such as health, economic and environmental emergencies and to assist in mitigating climate and socioeconomic risks that affect small and medium-sized farmers and agribusinesses.
Vision
To be a leading fund in promoting agricultural resilience in the Americas, contributing to food production, food security, and sustainable development.
Mission
To strengthen the capacity of food systems in the hemisphere to resist and recover from outbreaks, shocks, crises and disasters by promoting sustainable, technologically innovative, and resilient practices that empower rural communities and the private sector.
Strategyc Actions
The strategic actions will be implemented by IICA's front office and are grouped as follows:
Capacity Building
Develop training programs for agribusinesses (MSMEs and large companies) on sustainable and adapted agricultural practices.
Develop training programs for farmers, technicians and community leaders on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.
Prepare Member States to design, define and implement public policies that address climate impacts or extreme climate events, as well as emerging health, commercial, distribution or production issues.
Promote the training of professionals in resilient and sustainable agricultural production, in partnership with research institutes and universities.
Social Inclusion
Ensure active participation by these key stakeholder groups in decision making and in the implementation of resilient and sustainable food production projects.
Support specific programs for women, youth and indigenous communities that focus on resilient and sustainable food production.
Natural Resource Conservation
Promote regenerative agriculture and soil conservation practices.
Foster the efficient use of water and the production of renewable energy.
Innovation and Technology
Promote research and development of new agricultural technologies, including the potential of circular economy.
Facilitate access to information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve decision making.
Financial Sustainability
Provide a multi-actor platform that aligns interests and investment placement needs with investment access needs.
Manage resources with leading countries at the global level that share the Fund's vision, such as Norway, Sweden, England and Germany, among others.
Create financial mechanisms, such as investment subfunds, trusts, venture capital funds, impact investment funds, green bonds and carbon credits, among many others.
Risk Management
Develop risk maps and contingency plans for different types of disasters.
Implement early warning systems and climate information networks.
