2012 Chapters (Layout Features)

International Research Institute for Climate and Society

Gonzalez-Romero, Carmen

As part of the scoping mission of ACToday, Jennifer Bradshaw and Carmen Gonzalez Romero, two students of the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) of Columbia University, traveled to Guatemala in the summer of 2018 to analyze the ecosystems of the food chain and the climate services in the country. The objectives of this mission were to assess: 1) the policy landscape and the food system, 2) Climate Services available in the country, 3) the value chain of a staple crop and a cash crop.

The methodology used by the SIPA students included literature review as well as semi-structure interviews with local experts in agriculture, nutrition, food systems, climate services, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Food, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Meteorological Service, local farming cooperatives and federations, international organizations, members of the Academy in Guatemala and focus groups with famers and local experts. Observational data from participation in agroclimate round tables and nutrition and health round tables were also taking into consideration for the purpose of the assessment.

This document summarizes the key findings and recommendations based on the research and field work developed during the summer of 2018 by the SIPA students.