Agricultural Productivity in Latin America and the

Up to 70% of agricultural productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is reduced when environmental costs are taken into account. The increase in production has been driven mainly by the intensive use of inputs rather than by technological or managerial improvements, highlighting the need for policies that integrate sustainability and innovation. (IDB, 2025)

Salazar, L., Tadeo Ruesta, D. V., Alvarez, L., Bernal Hernandez, S. ., & Martel, P. (2025). Agricultural Productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean (1961-2021): Subregional and National Analysis. Balduzzi Fiallos, M. S. (Ed.).

Decline in RIP agriculture in LAC

In 2023, the relative internal productivity of the Agriculture sector in Latin America and the Caribbean was 44 (with total productivity coefficient = 100), showing its lag compared to sectors with higher productivity, according to the sectoral graph of the report (ECLAC, 2025).

En 2023, la productividad relativa interna del sector Agricultura en América Latina y el Caribe fue 44 (con coeficiente de productividad total = 100), evidenciando su rezago frente a sectores de mayor productividad, según el gráfico sectorial del informe (CEPAL, 2025).

Agricultural water demand

700,000 m³/day will be the projected wastewater flow for Trinidad and 30,000 m³/day for Tobago by 2035, pointing to the potential for reuse in agriculture (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

700,000 m³/día será el flujo proyectado de aguas residuales para Trinidad y 30,000 m³/día para Tobago hacia 2035, señalando el potencial para su reutilización en agricultura (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

Govia, S., & Roopnarine, R. (2024). Untapped and Untold: The Hidden Connection between Water and Sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Solar irrigation technologies

3 solar water technologies are gaining momentum in Trinidad and Tobago: solar desalination, solar disinfection and photocatalytic degradation, especially beneficial for rural agricultural areas (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

3 tecnologías de agua solar están ganando impulso en Trinidad y Tobago: desalinización solar, desinfección solar y degradación fotocatalítica, especialmente beneficiosas para áreas rurales agrícolas (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

Govia, S., & Roopnarine, R. (2024). Untapped and Untold: The Hidden Connection between Water and Sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Green infrastructure

3 key benefits of green infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago: regulation of water supply and quality, and moderation of extreme events for agriculture (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

3 beneficios principales ofrece la infraestructura verde en Trinidad y Tobago: regulación del suministro de agua, regulación de la calidad del agua y moderación de eventos extremos para la agricultura (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

Govia, S., & Roopnarine, R. (2024). Untapped and Untold: The Hidden Connection between Water and Sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

River harvesting technologies

2 main uses have rainwater harvesting techniques in Trinidad and Tobago: residential and agricultural, as a cost-effective solution (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

2 usos principales se promueven para las técnicas estandarizadas de recolección de agua de lluvia en Trinidad y Tobago: residencial y agrícola, como tecnología rentable para el sector (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

Govia, S., & Roopnarine, R. (2024). Untapped and Untold: The Hidden Connection between Water and Sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Sustainable agriculture

12 non-governmental organizations, including FACRP, emerged as community advocates for watershed protection and sustainable agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

12 organizaciones no gubernamentales, incluyendo FACRP, surgieron como defensoras comunitarias para la protección de cuencas y agricultura sostenible en Trinidad y Tobago (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

Govia, S., & Roopnarine, R. (2024). Untapped and Untold: The Hidden Connection between Water and Sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Agroforestry rehabilitation

30 hectares of land were transformed by the Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project, converting pastures into an organic agroforestry project (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

30 hectáreas de tierra fueron transformadas por el Proyecto de Reforestación Comunitaria de Fondes Amandes, convirtiendo pastizales en un proyecto agroforestal orgánico (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

Govia, S., & Roopnarine, R. (2024). Untapped and Untold: The Hidden Connection between Water and Sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Investment in sustainable agriculture

400 million Trinidadian dollars have been spent to date from the Green Fund on conservation and reforestation projects that benefit the agricultural sector (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

400 millones de dólares trinitenses se han gastado hasta la fecha del Fondo Verde en proyectos de conservación y reforestación que benefician al sector agrícola (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

https://opsaa.iica.int/resource-1807-estudio-de-desarrollo-%22sin-destapar-y-sin-contar:-la-conexion-oculta-entre-agua-y-sostenibilidad-en-trinidad-y-tobago%22

Impact on coastal zones

3 ecosystems at risk from agricultural pollution in Trinidad and Tobago: coral reefs, beaches and mangroves of Caroni and Nariva (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

3 ecosistemas principales están amenazados por la contaminación agrícola en Trinidad y Tobago: los sistemas de arrecifes de coral, las playas y los manglares de Caroni y Nariva (Govia & Roopnarine, 2024).

Govia, S., & Roopnarine, R. (2024). Untapped and Untold: The Hidden Connection between Water and Sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.