FAO and UNIDO launch program to improve food security and nutrition in least developed countries

06 Mar 2023 --- The Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA) program is designed to make the agri-food systems of the least developed countries (LDCs) more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable by fostering partnerships and generating public-private investments.

ASTA is a joint program of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

UNIDO director-general Gerd Mueller notes, “ASTA identifies investment opportunities and helps channel those investments into food value chains.” 

“ASTA offers a concrete tool to help countries realize the objective of agri-food systems transformation,” adds FAO director-general Dongyu Qu. 

The program aims to generate at least $300 million in private investments during the next five years.

New partnership  
With ASTA, the FAO and UNIDO kick off a new collaboration. The program helps generate investment in the agri-food systems of some of the world’s poorest countries to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Qu explains, “Addressing the future of agri-food systems requires a holistic view covering many topics, such as the climate crisis, agricultural production, value chain efficiency, inclusion, nutrition, land use and biodiversity, among others.” 

“With such efforts, FAO and UNIDO are natural partners. Our expertise and efforts complement each other. I am very proud of our cooperation with FAO,” adds Mueller. The new FAO and UNIDO joint program aims to improve food security and nutrition in LDCs (Image credit: FAO/Mohamed Moussa).

The program will develop value chains, market systems, business models and inclusive finance. 

New approach 
The FAO and UNIDO note that the climate crisis, conflicts, war and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic require a new approach and solutions. 

The UN has called for funding and action against global starvation as political upheaval exacerbates food insecurity. 

ASTA will include public-private partnerships and aims to put beneficiaries in the driving seat instead of more traditional top-down support. 

The program will also embody the UN ONE approach, where different UN organizations combine forces to assist countries more synergistically. 

The launch occurred during the 5th UN Conference on LDCs, held in Doha, Qatar. The conference joins the private sector, civil society, parliamentarians and young people to advance new ideas. It aims to accelerate sustainable development in countries where international assistance is needed most. 

How it works 
ASTA will not focus on individual SDG indicators. In LDCs, multiple bottlenecks often hinder urgent change. Therefore, integrated inter-ministerial solutions and public-private sector collaborations are needed.

The FAO previously called for the diversification of agri-food systems as these are better equipped to absorb sudden shocks and secure food supplies. 

The program helps countries to create strategies for concrete implementation with measurable impacts. 

In Suriname, the model secured public funding of US$2 million to promote US$8 million in private investments to transform the country’s pineapple value chain. 

The ASTA approach has been field-tested since 2018 in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and South America.

Edited by Jolanda van Hal