LatinNews Daily - 25 September 2024

*US Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment Jose Fernandez has announced US$5m in food security assistance that will advance the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (Vacs) initiative in Guatemala. Vacs was launched by the US State Department in February 2023, in partnership with the African Union and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). According to a State Department press release, the US$5m “will contribute to existing programmes and aims to enhance sustainable agricultural practices among Guatemalan farmers”. It adds that the project will “implement capacity-building activities and increase innovative agricultural practices and technologies that will foster resilience to climate change.” It notes that the initiative “includes training farmers on nutrient management practices that will strengthen soil health and fertility in local agricultural production and increase crop diversity with nutritious and sustainable options.” The press release adds that the initiative will boost coordination among agriculture and food security sectors, contributing to efforts helping the 1.6m people “engaged and dependent on the agricultural sector” in Guatemala as well as the 47% of children under five who are chronically malnourished. Addressing food insecurity is a key pledge of the left-of-centre government led by President Bernardo Arévalo which took office in January, promising to reduce malnutrition by 10%.