CATIE and Polyplants sign a partnership to improve coffee and cocoa production in Central America and the Caribbean

• Memorandum of Understanding establishes a collaboration between CATIE and the private sector to increase the availability of improved coffee hybrids to producers in the region

The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) announced a new strategic partnership with the Swiss company Polyplants, specialized in the mass propagation and genetic improvement of coffee and cocoa plants. 

This agreement aims to expand the annual production of improved coffee and cocoa varieties from CATIE's genetic improvement program.

For more than 35 years, CATIE has been at the forefront of research and development of coffee and cocoa varieties with disease tolerance, high productivity, and exceptional quality. 

Thanks to this work, thousands of agricultural producers in Central America and the Caribbean have had access to high-quality genetic materials that have allowed them to improve the productivity of their farms and secure a more sustainable production.

The new alliance will allow both entities to increase production of improved plants, taking advantage of the Swiss company's advanced mass propagation technologies. 

Polyplants, know how in tissue culture and biotechnology, will contribute to help CATIE bring these improved varieties to a greater number of producers.

The collaboration not only aims to increase the production of coffee and cocoa plants, but also to establish a business model that allows support and continue development in genetic improvement. In this way, it is expected to benefit future generations of farmers with more resistant and productive plants, adapted to the continuously evolving climatic and business environments.

With this agreement, CATIE and Polyplants reaffirm their commitment to working together on innovative solutions that improve agricultural production, strengthen value chains and contribute to sustainability in the region, by delivering affordable high-performing planting material to farmers.