AGROSAVIA and FAO, with financial support from the European Union, promote a sustainable agri-food future for Nariño

Pasto, Nariño. July 2, 2025. In a joint effort with the Obonuco and Tibaitatá Research Centers, and in strategic partnership with the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and the European research network AGRINATURA, a participatory workshop was held last month in the city of Pasto to develop a collective vision and a roadmap for the transition toward the sustainability of the food system in the Central Nariño region.

This event was part of the initiative -Intelligence for Sustainable Food Systems – Science-Policy Interface (SASi-SPi)-, a project aimed at creating a participatory and inclusive space where key stakeholders from the region can coordinate efforts to design a roadmap that enables the transformation of food production and consumption systems in the central part of the region. The initiative promotes sustainability, equity, and resilience in response to current environmental and socio-economic challenges.

The workshop brought together around 50 participants, including agricultural and livestock producers, specialized researchers and academics, representatives of community-based social organizations, small producers’ associations, and local and regional government entities. The session focused on collaboratively building a shared vision that responds to the territory’s needs, potential, and challenges, with a focus on social inclusion, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Key topics addressed during the workshop included climate change adaptation, productive diversification, access to fair markets, agroecology, the strengthening of local agri-food value chains, and the integration of agricultural technologies and innovations that respect ancestral knowledge and promote the conservation of regional biodiversity.

The alliance between AGROSAVIA, FAO, CIRAD, and AGRINATURA, with financial support from the European Union, represents a joint effort to provide technical, scientific, and strategic support to the actors involved, strengthening local capacities and generating a positive impact that contributes to food security and improved quality of life in Nariño.

This workshop marks a milestone for the region by laying the foundation for an agricultural and food policy that encourages sustainable production, social justice in resource access, and the participation of all sectors in building the region’s agri-food future.