French Ambassador Visits CATIE to Strengthen Cooperation in Agricultural and Environmental Research

• The visit included tours of agroforestry and cocoa projects, as well as discussions on collaboration in science and innovation.

The Honorable French Ambassador to Costa Rica, Alexandra Bellayer-Roille, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) on November 6 to explore new areas of cooperation and strengthen collaboration in agricultural and environmental research. The delegation included Ambrosine Pais, Cooperation Advisor, Jean-Philippe Berthelemy, representative of the French Development Agency (AFD), as well as scientists from the International Cooperation Center in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD) and CATIE.

During the visit, the Ambassador toured CATIE’s cocoa breeding program, along with the International Cocoa Collection and the in vitro culture laboratory, aiming to learn about sustainable research advancements in this crop. The delegation also familiarized themselves with agroforestry trials at the La Montaña experimental farm and visited the cocoa processing room to observe the management process of this product in both field and laboratory settings.

Cooperation Topics and Support Opportunities

Among the key points discussed was France’s interest in supporting the maintenance of CATIE's coffee and cocoa collections, which are considered valuable resources for agricultural research and sustainability in the region.

Additionally, the possibility of a triangular proposal under the "One Health" framework was explored, involving collaboration between CITAD Red, CATIE, and the Pasteur Institute.

Ambassador Bellayer-Roille also noted the possibility of funding opportunities for master’s and doctoral studies at CATIE, although exclusively for Costa Ricans, as the Embassy is based in Costa Rica.

Berthelemy noted the potential for funding projects focused on indigenous territories, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable agriculture, with an option to offer loans with a non-reimbursable portion for initiatives aligned with AFD’s strategic objectives.

Commitment and Long-Term Cooperation

CATIE, through its Director General, Luis Pocasangre, expressed satisfaction with the presence of 12 CIRAD scientists in Central America and Mexico, emphasizing the more than 40-year scientific cooperation between CIRAD and CATIE, which has significantly contributed to regional research and development.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continue developing projects that benefit agricultural and environmental sustainability, thus strengthening ecosystem resilience and promoting regional development.