PLACA launches 2025 regional competition to promote accessible climate solutions in livestock, fisheries and aquaculture
The Platform for Climate Action in Agriculture is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which heads the secretariat of the mechanism.
July 23, 2025. With the aim of promoting sustainable practices in the face of climate change, the Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA) today launched the call for entries for the fourth edition of its regional competition for practical and low-cost technological solutions for climate action, focusing on resilient livestock, responsible and sustainable fisheries, and sustainable aquaculture. The initiative, which has the technical support of FAO, seeks to identify and disseminate innovative, practical and replicable solutions, developed from local resources or with reduced costs.
FAO projects a 20% increase in global demand for animal protein by 2050, a scenario in which the region can consolidate its position as a strategic supplier, since it is home to 8.5% of the global population, but has 28% of the world's livestock production. It also produces more than 15 million tons of fishery products per year, and aquaculture has shown sustained growth of 7.7% since 2000, which offers an opportunity (FAO figures 2023).
"This contest is part of PLACA's efforts to make visible accessible technologies that contribute to climate change adaptation, emissions reduction and the strengthening of sustainable livelihoods in agri-food systems, with a territorial approach," said Maria Mercedes Proaño, FAO Climate Finance Officer.
The 2025 edition of the competition, organized by PLACA's Thematic Working Group on Knowledge Management (TWG3), is focused on three main thematic lines:
Resilient and climate-adapted livestock (terrestrial species)
Emphasis: Identify technological solutions or innovative practices that promote livestock systems (Proposal A: cattle, sheep, goats + non-traditional livestock; camelids, poultry, rabbits, beekeeping, entomoculture): Non-traditional livestock; camelids, poultry, rabbit farming, beekeeping, entomoculture)] that increase productivity, reduce emissions, sustainably manage the resources used and derived from production, incorporate circular economy, improve animal welfare, and strengthen productive sustainability in the face of climate change.
Sustainable aquaculture (aquatic species)
Emphasis Identify technological solutions or innovative practices that promote sustainable farming systems or strategic aquaculture species (fish, mollusks, crustaceans, macroalgae, among others) that contribute to greater efficiency in the use of inputs, significantly reduce the environmental footprint, promote integrated and rational water management, increase food production, and strengthen productive sustainability in the face of climate change.
Responsible fishing (aquatic species)
Emphasis Identify technological solutions, innovative practices or applied conservation measures that promote sustainable management, management or harvesting, as well as the conservation of marine species and ecosystems, that reduce the impacts of the activity and promote sustainability.
The call is aimed at researchers, technicians, extensionists, academics, producers, young people, indigenous peoples, rural communities and organizations linked to family agriculture or small-scale production systems.
Applications will be accepted from July 24 to September 28.
PLACA´s Solution Bank
The selected initiatives will receive regional recognition and will become part of PLACA's Technological Solutions Bank, an open consultation tool that already gathers 197 solutions from 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.