ADAMA Joins Efforts for the Conservation of CATIE's International Coffee Collection

• ADAMA, a company specializing in crop protection products, will support CATIE starting in 2023 in the sustainable management of the international coffee collection.

October 20, 2023.  The CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) and the company ADAMA signed an agreement to strengthen and conserve the genetic resources safeguarded in the International Coffee Collection.

Over the next three years, ADAMA will provide the necessary products for pest control, diseases, weeds, and biostimulants for an integrated and sustainable management of the collection, support that aligns with the long-term strategy of renewal, rationalization, and preservation of the genetic coffee varieties preserved by CATIE for over 70 years.

"The products provided by ADAMA will help maintain plant health in a sustainable manner, ensuring the preservation of these plants and the production of seeds requested by us both in Costa Rica and abroad," highlighted William Solano, a specialist in plant genetic resources and curator of CATIE's International Coffee Collection.

Towards Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture

With 78 years of experience in the agribusiness sector, ADAMA is known for being a global leader in providing sustainable solutions to coffee farmers for integrated and environmentally friendly prevention and control of diseases, insect pests, weeds, and climatic stress affecting coffee cultivation, using products that contribute to more sustainable and profitable productions and businesses.

Through this work in sustainable agricultural inputs, ADAMA becomes an essential ally for CATIE's work in regenerative agriculture for soil restoration and biodiversity, while also serving as an important foundation for businesses and farming families.

Thanks to the work on the International Coffee Collection and the preservation of 2,000 accessions, CATIE has contributed to the identification, use, and analysis of genetic diversity to ensure coffee cultivation worldwide since 1949, strengthening the livelihoods of thousands of families in the region by offering more rust-tolerant varieties with high productivity, greater resilience to climate change, and better cup quality.

About the Signing of the Agreement

The signing of the agreements was led by Muhammad Ibrahim, the general director of CATIE, and Lester Bermúdez, the general director of ADAMA Central America and the Caribbean. From ADAMA, Camilo Osorio, marketing manager, and Elizabeth Moreno, marketing and biosolutions coordinator, also participated. William Solano, a researcher in Agroforestry and Genetic Improvement in Coffee and Cocoa at CATIE, accompanied them. 

"For ADAMA, it is an honor to forge this alliance with CATIE. Our company is committed to the integrated and sustainable management of coffee cultivation. We have solutions and practices that aim to improve production, withstand climate challenges, enhance soil health, conserve water, and contribute to environmental preservation and the well-being of our coffee communities. Looking to the future, our product portfolio aims to align with regenerative agriculture to ensure long-term food security," said Bermúdez.

Following the agreement, a visit was made to the International Coffee Collection, where a plaque was unveiled in appreciation of ADAMA's support in conserving coffee genetic resources. CATIE commits to close coordination with the company to effectively control biotic and abiotic factors that could affect coffee plants.

"Public-private partnerships are important because they allow collaborative synergies where both parties benefit in one way or another. In our case, it allows us to have the necessary inputs for the agronomic management of the collection for the next three years, strengthening the transformation and impact on crops," emphasized Ibrahim.

About CATIE

CATIE is an international center for innovation and sustainable development related to agriculture, natural resource management, and conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2023, it celebrates its 50th year of combining education, research, and external outreach to enhance human well-being and reduce rural poverty.

The center's area of influence is the Latin American and Caribbean region, where it leads in integrated agriculture and natural resource management to address global challenges.

About ADAMA

ADAMA Ltd. is a global leader in crop protection, providing solutions to farmers worldwide to combat weeds, insects, and diseases. It offers a wide range of biosolutions and biostimulants. 

ADAMA boasts one of the world's broadest and most diverse portfolios of active ingredients, state-of-the-art research and development, manufacturing and formulation facilities, along with a culture that empowers its people in markets worldwide to listen to farmers and create solutions right from the field. This uniquely positions ADAMA to offer a wide range of distinctive blends, formulations, and high-quality differentiated products, meeting the needs of farmers and local customers in over 100 countries worldwide.