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
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.
Why investing in climate-efficient agrifood systems infrastructure matters
20/11/2024
Latest publications
Investment Toolkits
Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments - Field guide guide
12/2023
More than a decade has passed since the publication of the series entitled Social Analysis of Agriculture and Rural Investment Projects, which comprises...
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Investment Toolkits
Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments - Manager's guide
12/2023
More than a decade has passed since the publication of the series entitled Social Analysis of Agriculture and Rural Investment Projects, which comprises...
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Investment Toolkits
Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments - Practitioner's guide
12/2023
More than a decade has passed since the publication of the series entitled Social Analysis of Agriculture and Rural Investment Projects, which comprises...
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Country Investment Highlights
Climate-smart policies to enhance Egypt's agrifood system performance and sustainability
11/2023
Having tested climate smart agriculture (CSA) in four of Egypt’s most significant value chains – dairy, dates, maize and wheat – the authors demonstrate...
Investment Briefs
Pathways to profit - Experimental evidence on agricultural technology adoption
10/2023
This brief focuses on the profitability of adopting technology for farmers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and examines the financial...
Directions in Investment
Investing in farmers: Agriculture human capital investment strategies
05/2023
Investing in farmers – or agriculture human capital – is crucial to addressing challenges in our agri-food systems. A global...
Country Investment Highlights
Conservation agriculture in China: innovations, investment opportunities and challenges
04/2023
While the agricultural production in China has made great achievements, it is also facing challenges affecting the sustainable development of...
Investment Toolkits
How to invest in farmers? - A guide for agriculture human capital investment projects
04/2023
Investing in farmers – or agriculture human capital – is crucial to addressing challenges in our agrifood systems. A global...
Country Investment Highlights
Climate-smart agriculture in China: from policy to investment
04/2023
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a comprehensive system that requires thorough consideration of local climate, natural environment, market demand,...
Country Investment Highlights
Sustainable agricultural mechanization in China: a comprehensive review
04/2023
Sustainable agricultural mechanization covers all levels of farming and processing technologies, and takes into consideration technological, economic,...
Investment Briefs
Investing in agriculture human capital - Roles for the private sector
04/2023
The objective of this brief is to assess the role of the private sector in developing human capital among smallholders....
Annual Reviews
FAO Investment Centre - 2022 at a glance
03/2023
FAO is committed to helping countries achieve a healthier, more sustainable future. That means finding the right combination of policies, innovations...