CATIE reinforces its contributions in the fight against land degradation and its effects on the most vulnerable populations in the Latin American and Caribbean region

• On June 17, the world commemorated the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

19 June 2023. CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) celebrates the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, reinforcing the actions it has promoted for 50 years, through research, teaching and knowledge transfer to thousands of producers in various topics such as forest restoration, sustainable livestock, agro-forestry systems, mitigation and adaptation to climate change and the promotion of a green and inclusive economy that recognizes the need to promote sustainable agribusiness.

Este año, el CATIE concentra sus acciones en el Corredor Seco Centroamericano a través de proyectos que promueven la transformación de sistemas de producción convencionales a procesos más sostenibles que incluyan la promoción de mejores prácticas en cadenas de producción como ganadería, granos básicos, café y cacao, así como la restauración de áreas degradadas a través de diversos modelos de restauración forestal de ecosistemas, que promueven el reconocimiento de las nature-based solutions y la inclusión de jóvenes y mujeres, poblaciones tradicionalmente vulneradas que viven en esta región, promoviendo emprendimientos sostenibles que refuercen las cadenas de valor y generen ingresos que ayuden a mejorar los medios de vida de las personas.

"The commemoration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought should be an urgent call for commitment to land degradation neutrality and challenge the countries of the region to better manages their land, resources and markets," commented Leida Mercado, director of Research for Inclusive Green Development at CATIE.

As part of this commitment, it should be noted that CATIE is also working with the Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought to establish actions to support the countries of the region in the implementation of their national action plans, which will be developed in the coming months.