Peru's agricultural diversity post-COVID-19

This study assessed crop diversity among 180 Peruvian farmers (2018–2022) using Shannon–Weiner and Margalef indices. Five crop types were identified; projections indicate growth in 15 families and decline in 9 by 2025 (Chavez et al., 2024).

Segundo G. Chavez; Erick Arellanos; Jaris Veneros; Nilton B. Rojas-Briceño; Manuel Oliva-Cruz; Carlos Bolaños-Carriel; Ligia García

Instituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Ceja de Selva (INDES-CES), Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental (INAM), Universidad Nacional TRM. Grupo de Investigación en Ciencia de la Información Geoespacial, Universidad Nacional de Moquegua. Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Central del Ecuador.

COVID-19

26% of the deaths registered as of December 2022 due to COVID-19 occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL, FAO y IICA, 2023).

ISPA, 2023

IICA (Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura, Costa Rica). 2023. Perspectivas de la Agricultura y del Desarrollo Rural en las Américas: una mirada hacia América Latina y el Caribe 2023-2024. San José, Costa Rica.

COVID-19

50 of the 74 trade measures adopted during the pandemic by LAC countries contributed significantly to facilitating trade (CEPAL, FAO y IICA, 2023).

ISPA, 2023

IICA (Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura, Costa Rica). 2023. Perspectivas de la Agricultura y del Desarrollo Rural en las Américas: una mirada hacia América Latina y el Caribe 2023-2024. San José, Costa Rica.

Covid-19 and Innovation in Agrifood Systems of Lat

The agrifood supply chain of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) stands out for its resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic, and multiple studies have been conducted to analyze the differential impacts of the pandemic across firms and sectors. Less is known regarding the strategies implemented for business continuity during this catastrophic shock. The purpose of this study was to analyze the responses toward innovations of the LAC agrifood supply chain to the COVID-19 health emergency using data gathered from agribusinesses from 22 LAC countries. The study contributes to the literature by taking a comprehensive look at the responses of businesses along the LAC agrifood chains, and it is also one of the first longer-term quantitative assessments as it considers responses from the first and second years of the pandemic. The results from our two surveys show that over 70% of agribusinesses implemented innovations, revealing firms’ positive and prompt reactions. Although most innovations were longer-term, in many cases, innovations were only temporary. Statistical analyses suggest that the likelihood of implementing longer-term innovations is associated with the agrifood segment, the agrifood chain stage, receiving long-term public or private support, having access to credit, and positive future perspectives about business conditions.

Increase in food insecurity in LAC

93.5 million people suffered from severe food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2021, an increase of 29.5 million compared to 2019 (FAO, et al., 2023).

93,5 millones de pesonas padecieron inseguridad alimentaria grave en América Latina y el Caribe en 2021, un aumento de 29,5 millones en comparación con 2019 (FAO, FIDA, OPS, PMA y UNICED, 2023)

FAO, FIDA, OPS, PMA y UNICEF. 2023. Panorama regional de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional - América Latina y el Caribe 2022: hacia una mejor asequibilidad de las dietas saludables. Santiago de Chile. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3859es