CATIE and CORFOGA Sign Agreement to Promote Joint Initiatives in the Livestock Sector

• The agreement includes topics related to research, capacity building, organizational support, and collaboration on gender, youth, and biodiversity initiatives.
  
  

CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) and the Livestock Corporation (CORFOGA) have signed a framework cooperation agreement aimed at sustainably developing the Costa Rican livestock sector and strengthening synergies between the two institutions.

The signing of the agreement took place on August 8, 2024, at CATIE’s facilities in Turrialba.

The agreement was formalized by Luis Diego Obando, Director of CORFOGA, and Luis Pocasangre, Director General of CATIE, who emphasized the importance of this agreement in promoting sustainable livestock farming and environmental conservation in the region.

"The essence of CATIE is research and cooperation, and this agreement combines both, ensuring that research products reach producers," Pocasangre said.

Claudia Sepúlveda, coordinator of CATIE’s Sustainable Livestock and Environmental Management Unit (GAMMA), highlighted that during the meeting, eight priority points were established for joint development.

These points include research, capacity building, organizational support, and collaboration on gender, youth, and biodiversity initiatives.

The agreements reached include:

• Development of joint research projects with the participation of graduate students from CATIE's Graduate School.
• Impact assessments in the livestock sector.
• Support in governance and organizational strengthening for CORFOGA.
• CATIE's participation in the October Livestock Congress, where presentations, summaries, and videos will be sent.
• Technical assistance for CORFOGA’s 2025-2027 strategic plan.

This agreement not only strengthens the relationship between CATIE and CORFOGA but also lays the foundation for collaborative work that will benefit the Costa Rican livestock sector and contribute to the region's sustainable development.

Obando also expressed gratitude for CATIE's support in CORFOGA’s 2025-2030 Institutional Strategic Planning Process, alongside Ileana Ávalos, professor and researcher in governance and decision-making at CATIE’s Livestock and Environmental Management Unit.

The results of this cooperation are expected to be reflected in significant improvements in the value chains of the primary production sector, as well as in the adoption of more sustainable and resilient practices in livestock farming.