Innovation and Knowledge for Investment (IK4I)
The Investment Centre provides a strong evidence-based voice on investment and finance solutions through its Innovation and Knowledge for Investment (IK4I) work.
By harnessing FAO’s technical expertise and leveraging partnerships with key financing and research institutions, the Centre fills critical knowledge gaps. It also shares the latest thinking and practical tools to support investment.
The growing body of investment knowledge products covers a wide range of topics – from scaling up agrifood investments for and by youth in Africa, to decarbonizing agrifood systems, among many others.
Latest stories
New book traces the FAO Investment Centre’s evolution over its first 60 years
19/12/2025
For over six decades, the FAO Investment Centre has helped countries invest in agrifood systems to reduce hunger, poverty and malnutrition and advance sustainable development.
A new publication, “The FAO Investment Centre, 60 Years Young, 1964–2024”, traces the Centre’s evolution over its first 60 years.
The potential of bioinputs for greener agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean
17/06/2025
The Centre published Bioinputs: investment opportunities in Latin America. The report, part of FAO’s IK4I series, examines the economic viability, investment potential and social and environmental benefits of agricultural bioinputs in the region Agricultural bioinputs – products from plants, animals or microbes – are often used as supplements or natural alternatives to more synthetic agrochemicals.
Urban agriculture is experiencing a growth spurt
22/01/2025
Feeding our cities: How the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the movement of food in urban areas
02/12/2024
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way food is moved, sold and bought in urban areas worldwide – creating some new trends and accelerating others.
Latest publications
Directions in Investment
Modernizing irrigation in Central Asia: Concept and approaches
09/2022
This publication, geared to policy-makers, sector managers and technical experts, draws on the findings of a study carried out by an FAO team through...
Directions in Investment
Investing in agricultural water, sustainably: Recent trends in financing institutions
08/2022
A research study carried out by the Stockholm Environment Institute, under the direction of the FAO Investment Centre, examines IFI investments and...
Investment Briefs
Expanding Morocco's olive oil market: The role of consumers and industry response
08/2022
This brief was produced by the Investment Centre of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), based on observations made during...
Country Investment Highlights
Transforming agriculture in South Sudan: From humanitarian aid to a development oriented growth path
08/2022
FAO teamed up with the World Bank on this strategic analysis of the investment, policy and institutional support needed to shift South Sudan’s agriculture...
Investment Toolkits
Strengthening buyer/supplier relationships: Practical guidance for Montenegrin retailers
06/2022
This document is intended to support Montenegrin retailers to engage in local sourcing, which can also strengthen their contribution to the achievement...
Directions in Investment
Investing in carbon neutrality: Utopia or the new green wave? Challenges and opportunities for agrifood systems
06/2022
'Investing in carbon neutrality: utopia or the new green wave?' presents a comprehensive assessment of the key challenges and opportunities of carbon...
Country Investment Highlights
Digital agriculture in action: Selected case studies from India
06/2022
This publication highlights some successful initiatives in leveraging digital technologies, improving value-chain processes and building capacity to...
Country Investment Highlights
Adoption of climate technologies in the agrifood system: investment opportunities in Kazakhstan
05/2022
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), collaborating within...
Country Investment Highlights
Adoption of climate technologies in the agrifood system: investment opportunities in the Kyrgyz Republic
05/2022
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), collaborating within...
Country Investment Highlights
Tea sector review: Georgia
05/2022
This study was produced under an FAO-EBRD Cooperation project on reviewing the development potential of the tea sectors of Azerbaijan and Georgia. As...
Country Investment Highlights
Tea sector review: Azerbaijan
05/2022
This study was produced under an FAO-EBRD Cooperation project on reviewing the development potential of the tea sectors of Azerbaijan and Georgia. As...
Investment Toolkits
Investment guidelines for youth in agrifood systems in Africa
04/2022
The Investment guidelines for youth in agrifood systems in Africa, developed jointly by FAO and the African Union Commission (AUC) through a multi-stakeholder...