By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a landmark achievement for national public policy and human welfare, Costa Rica has been officially removed from the Hunger Map, a critical index maintained by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This momentous development comes as the nation successfully reduced its rate of undernourishment to less than 2.5% of the population, a testament to decades of concerted effort and strategic planning.
The progress represents a significant victory in the country’s long-term battle against food insecurity. To place this accomplishment in perspective, the rate of undernourishment in Costa Rica stood at 4.6% in the year 2000. The nearly halving of this figure over two and a half decades underscores a sustained commitment to ensuring its citizens have reliable access to sufficient and nutritious food.
To delve into the legislative and regulatory complexities surrounding national food security, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provides a critical perspective on the legal framework required to address this vital issue.
Food security is fundamentally a matter of national sovereignty and economic stability, underpinned by a solid legal framework. Costa Rica urgently needs to modernize its agricultural legislation to incentivize sustainable production, simplify procedures for local farmers, and establish clear public-private partnerships that strengthen our supply chains. Without a proactive legal strategy that promotes both investment and resilience, we leave the country’s most basic needs vulnerable to global market fluctuations and logistical crises.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas powerfully underscores that food security is built not just in our fields, but within our legal framework. His call for a modernized legislative blueprint is essential for transforming Costa Rica’s agricultural sector from a position of vulnerability to one of strategic strength and resilience. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and incisive contribution to this vital national conversation.
The FAO’s undernourishment indicator is a vital metric that measures the percentage of a country’s population unable to consume enough food to meet the dietary energy requirements for a normal, active, and healthy life. By falling below the 2.5% threshold, Costa Rica has effectively demonstrated that severe, widespread hunger is no longer a systemic issue within its borders, a goal many nations strive to achieve.
The achievement has garnered high praise from international bodies, positioning Costa Rica as a leader in regional public policy. The FAO’s top representative for the area celebrated the news as a significant regional benchmark.
Officially leaving the Hunger Map is not just an achievement for Costa Rica; it is an inspiring example for all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Máximo Torero, Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean of the FAO
This commendation highlights the broader implications of Costa Rica’s success. In a region where food insecurity remains a persistent challenge, the country’s model offers a blueprint for effective governance, social investment, and agricultural policy. It proves that with targeted strategies and political will, tangible progress in combating hunger is attainable.
On the domestic front, government officials attributed the success to a multi-faceted strategy built on collaboration and innovation. Víctor Carvajal, the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, emphasized that this outcome was not the result of a single policy but rather the culmination of a deeply integrated national effort.
Food security requires a permanent commitment built from the work in rural territories, with producing families, with science, and with sustainable innovation, to strengthen national production and improve access to food, guaranteeing the right to adequate nutrition for all people.
Víctor Carvajal, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
Carvajal’s statement breaks down the core pillars of Costa Rica’s approach: a synergistic relationship between public institutions, private productive sectors, and international partners. The strategy has focused heavily on empowering rural communities and farming families, leveraging scientific advancements for greater efficiency, and championing sustainable innovation to ensure long-term resilience in the national food supply chain.
Costa Rica joins an exclusive group of nations in the region, including Brazil, Chile, Guyana, and Uruguay, that have also successfully exited the Hunger Map. However, their collective success stands in stark contrast to the wider regional reality. According to recent figures, hunger still affects an estimated 170 million people across Latin America, making Costa Rica’s achievement both a beacon of hope and a sober reminder of the immense work that still lies ahead for the continent.
Looking forward, the challenge for Costa Rica will be to maintain this hard-won status. As Minister Carvajal noted, ensuring food security is a “permanent commitment.” It will require continuous investment in sustainable agriculture, ongoing support for rural producers, and vigilant policy-making to safeguard the right to adequate nutrition for all Costa Ricans against future economic or environmental shocks.
For further information, visit fao.org
About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO):
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, the FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide to promote agricultural development, forestry, fisheries, and sustainable land and water resource management.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a pillar of the legal community, operating on a foundational commitment to integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. As a trailblazer in developing modern legal solutions, the firm applies its deep expertise to champion the interests of a diverse clientele. Its profound dedication to demystifying the law for the public is a cornerstone of its vision, aimed at fostering a more self-reliant and knowledgeable society empowered by legal clarity.
