CATIE Engages in Panel Discussion on Climate Financing for the Agricultural Sector in Honduras

• In the forum of international experts, Felipe Peguero delivered invaluable insights regarding inclusive climate financing, offering a unique perspective rooted in the context of the livestock sector.

December 18, 2023 - CATIE, represented by climate financing specialist Felipe Peguero, played a prominent role in Honduras' inaugural event focused on strengthening ties between national public and private financial entities and international cooperation.

The event, organized by Honduras' Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock under the leadership of Laura Suazo, brought together key stakeholders to share successful experiences and encourage increased investment in the country's agroalimentary sector.

The panel discussion featured participation from presidents, directors of institutions, Secretaries and Undersecretaries of State, representatives from international cooperation organizations, leading women in productive chains, as well as delegates from approximately 7,000 Honduran producers, academic institution leaders, and agricultural financing specialists.

Throughout the event, keynote lectures and international and national panels addressed various crucial topics, including the status of credit placements in Honduras' agroalimentary sector, the significance of financial inclusion to drive agricultural development, the State Policy for the Agroalimentary Sector in Honduras, the financial offerings of intermediary financial institutions, agricultural insurance, and productive and commercial growth through inclusive financing, among other relevant subjects.

On the international experts' panel, Felipe Peguero shared valuable insights on inclusive climate financing from the perspective of the livestock sector. He highlighted CATIE's successful experiences in operationalizing climate financing through development banking and the MAF-Livestock-HN project, aiming to transform livestock farming into a low-carbon economy.

The panel also featured contributions from other prominent institutions such as the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Mastercard, and the Bank of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay (BROU).

Furthermore, the event received contributions from distinguished representatives of the National Congress, the National Banking and Insurance Commission (CNBS), the Honduran Bank for Production and Housing (BANHPROVI), the Bank of the West, ODEF Financial, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (PMA), the Foundation for Business Development (FUNDER), among others.

As the host, Laura Suazo summarized the event's conclusions, outlining the next steps for formulating a comprehensive financing strategy for the agroalimentary sector and emphasizing the importance of collaboration among all involved stakeholders.