Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO Visits CATIE to Strengthen Agricultural Research Cooperation

• The aim of the meeting was to evaluate how institutions can collaborate, plan, and seize opportunities, while training and preparing new generations of scientists and technicians to generate knowledge in the future.

On March 25th, CATIE had the honor of receiving a visit from Dr. Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO), accompanied by Dr. Roberto Camacho, Director of the National Institute for Agricultural Technology Innovation and Transfer (INTA) of Costa Rica. During this visit, key meetings were held to strengthen agricultural research cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Dr. Saini emphasized that FONTAGRO is a fund created in 1999 by 15 countries, 14 from Latin America and Spain, with the goal of co-investing and developing research, generating new knowledge, and promoting innovations that benefit the agricultural sector, agriculture, and agribusinesses. In this regard, she highlighted that working with strategic partners is essential, and that CATIE is a key ally in reinforcing FONTAGRO’s role in Central America, the Caribbean, and the rest of Latin America.

"CATIE, as an organization that develops and implements projects while simultaneously training and educating new generations of scientists and technicians, is a fundamental agency for FONTAGRO. That’s why today we meet with Dr. Luis Pocasangre and other members of the institution to assess how we can work together, plan, seize opportunities, and at the same time help train and prepare new generations of scientists and technicians to generate knowledge for the future," stated Dr. Saini.

Key topics discussed included:

1. Development of proposals for low-emission agriculture and livestock:The integration of CATIE’s three NAMAs (Coffee, Bananas, and Livestock) was proposed to formulate projects aligned with climate change mitigation strategies.
2. Financing efforts for indigenous communities in LAC:Dr. Saini made a direct effort with New Zealand to position CATIE as a potential recipient of funds for agricultural initiatives in indigenous communities.
3. Development of cocoa projects:The possibility of formulating a research proposal on cocoa in collaboration with the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA) and INTA Costa Rica was raised.
4. Organization of a research center meeting:A meeting at CATIE in 2026 was proposed, bringing together institutions such as the INTAs, INIAs, IDIAPs, and IDIAF from the region.
5. Focus on climate change:Dr. Saini highlighted the importance of CATIE’s work in this area and suggested using the term "climate insecurity," a concept widely recognized in the United States.
6. Training in statistics and data management:The possibility of offering courses at CATIE aimed at researchers from NARS centers in LAC was discussed.

During the meeting, CATIE’s strong track record in FONTAGRO-funded projects was highlighted, urging researchers to continue participating in FONTAGRO calls. Dr. Laura Benegas was designated as the focal point for proposal follow-up, supported by a team of CATIE researchers, including colleagues Claudia Sepúlveda and Karina Poveda, as well as Drs. R. Cerda and Pablo Imbach.