Next Generation Agricultural Impact Network youth learned about agro-forestry systems at CATIE

• The young people visited CATIE headquarters in Costa Rica to learn about regenerative agriculture.

June 29, 2022. A group of young people from various countries around the world, who are members of the Next Generation Agricultural Impact Network (NGIN) program, visited the headquarters of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) on June 24, in order to learn about experiences and practices related to tropical regenerative agriculture.

For this, they received a talk on agro-forestry systems and circular economy in goat agro-forestry systems, given by Guillermo Detlefsen, CATIE researcher. In addition, they practiced pruning and thinning in agro-forestry systems and toured the goat agro-silvo-pastoral module under the guidance of Carlos Cordero, also a researcher at the Center.

Then, Evelyn Chaves, researcher of the Forests and Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes Unit of CATIE, shared her knowledge and experiences about the vital role of pollinators (mainly bees) in the ecosystem.

Finally, Aldo Sanchez, a cocoa producer who received support from CATIE's ACTIVA Program, shared with the young people about the growth of his family business, the sustainable production of selected varieties of fine and aromatic cocoa, the added value of the products and the marketing process, both in Costa Rica and in other countries.

"The young people were very enthusiastic about the talks and internships. For CATIE, this is the equivalent of advocacy towards youth representatives who were selected for their excellence and continued commitment to sustainable agriculture and agri-food systems. It was also a demonstration of the affinity we have for promoting the sustainable management of natural resources in the Latin American region," said Detlefsen.

Nele Herrmann, member of NGIN, explained that the objective of the program is to empower young people in agriculture and related fields, including them from the beginning; as well as to provide them with a space to enable the exchange of experiences and dialogue around the transformation of agriculture to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.