AGS  is just starting  the implementation of a new subregional project funded by the Government of Italy called Improving Food Security through Commercialization in selected agrifood chains in Central America - GTFS/RLA/176/ITA. The project covers four countries, namely El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, will last 4 years and has a budget of nearly US$6 million.  Its main objective is to  enhance food security through improving  the performance of selected value chains to  ensure  food quality and safety and better integrate small-scale farmers. Among other activities, the project will provide capacity building on marketing and value addition; promote business partnerships; and strengthen services, policies  and institutions at national and regional levels.

The project has two main components developed at regional and national levels. The first component works in the framework of the Central American integration mechanism, while the second component involves the development of  selected national agrifood chains, with a focus on marketing and value addition. The regional component addresses issues, such as access to regional and international markets, food safety and quality standards, cross-border trade, food import substitution and harmonization of policies and institutions to support agriculture competitiveness and modernization.