Colombia: Download the country investment note
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Colombia 2026
Colombia’s investment proposal focuses on enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of six strategic agrifood value chains through two territorial interventions: (i) the establishment of an integrated Agro-industrial, logistics, and marketing center covering six value chains in the Department of Boyacá, and (ii) the promotion of sustainable dual-purpose livestock farming with food productive diversification in the Department of Córdoba. Together, these interventions target both crop-based value chains and the livestock sector (beef and dairy), which are critical to rural livelihoods, national exports, and the structural transformation and resilience of Colombia’s agri-food systems.
The proposal highlights Colombia’s competitive advantages as a global exporter of bovine meat, a leading producer of exotic fruits in terms of biodiversity, and a key regional supplier of cool-climate fruits. Backed by geospatial, biophysical, and socio-economic analysis, the initiatives target high-potential territories for investment.
The integrated Agro-industrial and agrologisictics center in Boyacá (USD 26.8 million) focuses on increasing productivity, improving quality standards, and fostering market linkages for key agricultural products such as fruits, legumes, vegetables, potatoes, dairy, and animal feed. By integrating 48 municipalities, it will directly benefit more than 7,000 local producers while promoting value addition, competitiveness, and resilience across the agri-food system. In parallel, the social, environmental, and economic transformation of livestock farming in the department of Córdoba (USD 46.5 million) will promote climate-smart strategies, productive diversification, genetic improvement of cattle, modern infrastructure, circular bioeconomy solutions and sustainable practices through the integration of agrosilvopastoral livestock systems, directly benefiting 15,000 families across 8 municipalities.
Both investment notes highlight Colombia’s favorable conditions for rural development: vast underutilized agricultural land, government commitment to peace and sustainability, and a growing premium export market. It calls for strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, producer capacity, and climate resilience, key drivers to unlock the full potential of these sectors and promote inclusive economic growth.
Geospatial Typologies
Agro-informatics connects information technology with the management, analysis and application of agricultural data to indentify territories with untapped agrifood potential and design more accurate and targeted agrifood interventions. The use of new technologies and techniques in agriculture, such as satellite imagery, remote sensing, and geographic information systems, enable the transformation of data into actionable information.
POVERTY
POTENTIAL
EFFICIENCY
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Investment cases in Colombia
Investment Cases and Interventions
Integrated agro-industrial, logistics, and marketing center for six value chains of smallholder agriculture
Departamento de Boyacá
INVESTMENT
USD 26,886,321
INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN (%)
17%
NET PRESENT VALUE
USD 4,875,437
DIRECT BENEFICIARIES
7,000
INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES
21,000
INCOME INCREASE PER CAPITA
7,920 USD/person
EMISSION REDUTION (EXACT)
-58,600 TCO2-E
The Agro-industrial, logistics and commercialization center will enhance the competitiveness and profitability of the agri-food sector in the Department of Boyacá. It focuses on priority products with high economic relevance, production volume, and value-added potential (potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dairy). The project will provide aggregation, processing, storage, packaging, and distribution services, improving efficiency, sustainability, and economies of scale, while facilitating export-oriented operations.
Investments will focus on strengthening storage capacity and cold chain infrastructure, processing, and logistics facilities, as well as improved commercialization channels and access to profitable domestic and international markets. The project also includes composting areas to reduce food loss and waste (FLW) and promote circular economy, alongside technical assistance and training programs with a gender-sensitive approach.
The initiative will increase productivity and value addition, making agriculture more profitable and attractive, while positioning the agri-food sector as a key driver of economic growth and employment in the region. The project targets 48 municipalities, requiring an investment of USD 26.8 million, with an IRR of 17%, and directly benefiting 7,000 households.
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Social, environmental, and economic transformation of livestock farming
Departamento de Córdoba
INVESTMENT
USD 46,552,640
INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN (%)
28%
NET PRESENT VALUE
USD 39,590,496
DIRECT BENEFICIARIES
15,000
INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES
48,000
INCOME INCREASE PER CAPITA
8,052 USD/person
EMISSION REDUTION (EXACT)
-81,315 TCO2-E
Colombia is the world’s 12th largest producer of bovine meat. The export market increased by 126% in 2025, with the Middle East and China as the main destinations, while the dairy sector plays a key role in meeting domestic demand. Córdoba is the second-largest cattle-producing department, accounting for 9.3% of the national herd.
The project targets eight municipalities and directly benefits more than 15,000 families, promoting sustainable bovine meat and dairy production among smallholders, with the conversion of 9,000 hectares of farmland into multristrata agrosilvopastoral livestock systems, with mango and coconut trees for productive diversification.
Investments focus on improving productivity and value addition through sustainable practices, enhanced herd management, and technical training. A dairy processing plant will support cheese production, while water and energy efficiency solutions and the use of livestock waste for biofertilizer production will promote resource efficiency. Investments will also support the establishment of a specialized livestock reproductive genetics center, while the initiative incorporates a gender-sensitive approach by engaging 32 local family farming associations of youth and women.
The project requires an investment of USD 46.5 million, with an estimated IRR of 28%, contributing to higher productivity, more sustainable production systems, increased incomes and more resilient and stronger dairy and livestock value chains.
Resources
FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative
21/12/2023
The Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative supports the implementation of nationally led, ambitious programmes to accelerate agrifood systems transformations...
In the Media
Contacts
For more information, please contact the Hand-in-Hand team