On the margins of the UN General Assembly, U.S. Department of State Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment Jose W. Fernandez announced $5 million in food security assistance that will advance the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) in Guatemala. Joining from the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, the Common Fund Commodities and Cargill also highlighted their VACS efforts for Guatemalan communities.
The $5 million Feed the Future activity will contribute to existing programs and aims to enhance sustainable agricultural practices among Guatemalan farmers. The project will implement capacity-building activities and increase innovative agricultural practices and technologies that will foster resilience to climate change. The activity 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.
In collaboration with the Guatemalan government, the United States, other international donors, and stakeholders, this activity will create and improve coordination among agriculture and food security sectors. The activity will contribute to efforts helping the 1.6 million people that are engaged and dependent on the agricultural sector as well as aims to impact 47% of children under five who are chronically malnourished.
Launched in February 2023 to address food insecurity initially in Africa, the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) has grown into a global movement and expanded into the Western Hemisphere and Pacific Islands. VACS has generated global interest and commitment, including the VACS Partnership co-led by International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). VACS has been embraced by the private sector and NGOs – recognized through the VACS Champions program. VACS is part of the U.S. government’s signature global hunger initiative Feed the Future.