INTA of Costa Rica and CATAS of the People's Republic of China Strengthen Collaboration at CATIE

• The delegation visited the Center and toured the International Coffee and Cocoa Collections, where they learned about advancements in grafting techniques and sustainable management practices.
  

The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) welcomed a delegation from Costa Rica's National Institute of Innovation and Agricultural Technology Transfer (INTA) and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) as part of a technical and academic exchange tour. This collaboration aims to enhance knowledge in tropical crops.

Laura Ramírez Cartín, from INTA's Knowledge Management Department, explained that this visit is part of the longstanding technical cooperation between Costa Rica and China.

"We are working on the improvement of tropical crops such as rubber, cocoa, coffee, bananas, tropical roots, and mango. Collaboration with CATAS has allowed us to engage both theoretically and practically, and what better place to visit than CATIE, one of the leading international centers for cocoa and coffee," said Ramírez.

The exchange included professionals from various INTA centers across the country, highlighting the participation of young professionals and an institutional commitment to gender equity. Ramírez emphasized, "It is essential to nurture knowledge in this new generation, promoting their professional development."

Technical Activities

The delegation toured CATIE's International Coffee and Cocoa Collections, where the institution's specialists shared advancements in grafting techniques and sustainable management practices.

In the afternoon, meetings were held with Laura Benegas, Director of the Inclusive Green Development Research Division (DIDVI), and Rolando Cerda, Coordinator of the Agroforestry and Coffee and Cocoa Breeding Unit.

Roberto Camacho, Executive Director of INTA, expressed gratitude to CATIE for hosting the national technicians and visiting Chinese professionals. "It is crucial to maintain these cooperative ties between government authorities and institutions like CATIE to strengthen knowledge and agricultural production that benefits our country," Camacho stated.

Cooperation for Sustainability

The sessions at CATIE were part of a broader program that included training sessions in Guápiles and farm visits from November 11 to 23. The program focused on transferring innovative agricultural technologies. This joint effort between INTA and CATAS aims to implement sustainable solutions that benefit the agricultural sectors of both countries.

The visit reaffirmed CATIE's role as a strategic ally in the region, emphasizing its position as a platform for learning and innovation in tropical agriculture.