Nicaragua is an energy-poor and agriculture-dependent country. While the cattle and dairy sector is a dominating force among the country’s agricultural sectors, its productive output is remarkably low compared to that of neighbouring countries. Inefficient herding and farm management leads to hygiene issues, high loss of livestock and low production. Most small scale farmers lack access to modern energy. The sector is in dire need of productivity improvements to remain competitive in the region. 

This policy brief emerges from a process of analysis of the status and quality of the public policies on climate change and development in ten Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, El Salvador and Paraguay. It suggests that policies generated should have quality in the design, be implemented effectively, and guarantee institutional strengthening, greater awareness through social communication, and political and social support, for achieving its goals.