Recently, FONTAGRO organized a high-level panel that explored the rapidly evolving landscape of research, development, and innovation in the agri-food sector. With global food systems facing increasing challenges—from the climate crisis to new investment paradigms—this was an essential conversation on how to redefine the path from ideation to impactful solutions.

Experts from various fields shared their insights on emerging trends in R&D funding, the dynamics of agri-food value chains, and the crucial role of evidence and governance in innovation. Key points of discussion included how public-private collaborations and institutional innovations are reshaping the approach to food systems, aiming to foster resilience, inclusivity, and technology-enabled solutions for the future.

We are extremely grateful to our panelists for their valuable contributions: Dr. Philip Pardey, Director of the GEMS Informatics Center at the University of Minnesota; Dr. Hernán Muñoz, Statistical Leader of the ASTI program at FAO; Dr. Rubén Echeverría, Senior Advisor for agricultural development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and Dr. Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary at FONTAGRO.

To watch the webinar recording, visit: https://youtu.be/oZHJ-sQ0i0A?si=QoqbNidfnQrtcLvc

***

About FONTAGRO

FONTAGRO was created 1998 with the purpose of promoting the increase of the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and the reduction of poverty in the region. The objective of FONTAGRO is to establish itself as a sustainable financing mechanism for the development of agricultural technology and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean and Spain, and to establish a forum for the discussion of priority topics of technological innovation. The member countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. In the last 27 years 204 regional agricultural innovation platforms have been co-financed for an amount of US $ 150.7 million, which has reached 531 institutions and 35 countries worldwide.