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.

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Urban agriculture is experiencing a growth spurt

22/01/2025

A new report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) explores the new wave of urban farming initiatives. It also identifies scalable approaches and areas where public and private investment can shape the sustainable growth of commercial urban agriculture.

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

Annual Reviews

FAO Investment Centre - 2019 at a glance

09/2020

Sustainable food systems are key to tackling our most pressing challenges – from ending hunger and poverty to preserving the...

Directions in Investment

Urban food systems governance: Current context and future opportunities

02/2020

This report presents insights and emerging lessons on food systems governance from the experience of nine cities that have developed urban food interventions...

Annual Reviews

FAO Investment Centre - 2018 at a glance

08/2019

Ambitious development agenda calls for extraordinary efforts – efforts that must be financed. Public funding through Official Development Assistance...