From the Field Collaborative action research at the heart of climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture
Science, innovation and local knowledge unite to transform agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Latin America and the Caribbean is currently facing a critical scenario: climate change threatens agricultural production, food insecurity is on the rise, and ecosystems are under increasing pressure. In response to this reality, the Initiative AgriLAC Resiliente has shown that science, technology and local knowledge can converge to transform agri-food systems in a sustainable and inclusive way.
Led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT - together with CIMMYT, IFPRI, and CIP - AgriLAC Resiliente promoted a regional strategy based on collaborative research, digitalization, capacity building and territorial action, with an approach based on a clear premise: resilient agriculture is possible when scientific solutions are co-created with those who inhabit and manage the land.
As a result, more than 1.4 million people have benefited from climate-adapted crops and digital decision-making tools.
43 documented cases of CGIAR innovation use, reaching over 1.4 million users - primarily small-scale producers and more than 12,800 people trained - supports the effects of the work. These activities were grounded in partnerships with more than 200 organizations, including national research systems, public institutions, NGOs and farmer associations, as well as collaboration with other CGIAR Initiatives with presence in target countries.
Building on networks from previous CGIAR initiatives - such as the Local Technical Agroclimatic Committees and Climate-Smart Villages in Guatemala and Honduras, and the multisectoral hub model in Mexico - AgriLAC Resiliente scaled this model to promote multi-thematic innovations for climate resilience, ecosystem services and nutrition beyond productivity. Through the InnovaHubs - subnational innovation platforms - AgriLAC supported the transformation of territories into spaces for learning, experimentation and co-creation. With 66,700 innovation sites spanning nearly 76,000 hectares across the region, these 'living laboratories' facilitated the validation of 26 agronomic, digital, organizational and commercial innovations tailored to local contexts, developed through sustained dialogue and collaboration among scientists, farmers and local communities.
Additionally, in Guatemala, a digital financial product for small-scale cattle farmers was designed and tested, showing that innovation can also drive rural financial inclusion. On the other hand, at the institutional level, the initiative supported low-emission strategies in cacao and dairy value chains in Colombia and Peru, linking climate change mitigation with territorial planning and finance. In Colombia, two national cacao strategies connected sustainable practices with planning and innovative financing, targeting 100,000 hectares and enabling scaling to 50,000 more. Furthermore, local Colombian brands positioned value-added products in national and international markets, linking sustainability to local economic development.
AgriLAC Resiliente demonstrated that when science is put into action and innovation stems from community dialogue, urgent challenges can be addressed collectively and effectively, demonstrating that collaboration among producers, institutions, the public-private sectors, academia and civil society strengthens agri-food networks through co-created solutions, local capacity-building and territory-focused innovations. Results include tangible gains in productivity, technology access and community empowerment, as well as stronger, more diverse relationships among key actors, amplifying impact and building a clear roadmap: building collaborative platforms, strengthening multi-stakeholder alliances and maintaining a shared innovation approach to transform agri-food systems in the region to make them more equitable and sustainable for the future.
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