FONTAGRO launched the "Perspectives, Impact, and Recommendations" series, a cycle of virtual strategic dialogues aimed at analyzing the effects of the El Niño/La Niña phenomenon (ENSO) and climate variability on the agricultural sector of its member countries.

The series will combine a geographical tour covering the Southern Cone, the Andean region, Central America, and the Caribbean with a sectorial analysis focused on key value chains such as cereals, oilseeds, fruit, horticulture, and livestock.

The first dialogue, held on August 21, 2026, was dedicated to the Southern Cone and analyzed the climate outlook for the 2026–2027 period along with its potential impacts on Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil. The session primarily addressed the analysis of climate variability and water resources in the Southern Cone, sustainable soil and natural resource management for agricultural production, and the impact of extreme weather events on agricultural sustainability. Furthermore, it delved into climate variability adaptation strategies, technological innovation aimed at environmental monitoring, and the strengthening of technical and institutional cooperation among the mentioned countries to ensure food security in the region.

The event featured presentations by Pablo Mercuri, Director of the Natural Resources Research Center at the National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA-Argentina), and Walter Baethgen, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, moderated by Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO. The space enabled a comprehensive analysis of the risks and opportunities associated with climate variability, advancing investment and innovation recommendations to strengthen the agricultural sector's response capacity.

Through this initiative, FONTAGRO connects science, knowledge, and innovation to contribute to greater resilience in agrifood systems facing regional climate challenges.

We invite farmers, researchers, decision-makers, and agrifood sector stakeholders to watch the full recording of the first session via YouTube.