As part of the project "Regional alliances for iron-rich beans in Latin American countries" co-financed by FONTAGRO and executed by the Agricultural Innovation Institute of Panama (IDIAP), the Nicaraguan Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), the Directorate of Agricultural Science and Technology of Honduras (DICTA), the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA), and the Dominican Institute of Agricultural and Forest Research (IDIAF), the National Meeting of Key Actors for Strengthening the Agro-Food Chain of Iron-Rich Beans took place on October 29 in Chitré, Panama. This event was crucial for driving cooperation among institutions and strategic actors committed to nutrition and sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO, participated virtually in this important meeting, where she spoke about FONTAGRO's Regional Commitments and Initiatives for food and nutritional security. She highlighted the importance of this unique fund, created over 27 years ago, which aims to facilitate strategic alliances and multi-country, multi-actor, and multidisciplinary networks to promote sustainable funding for agricultural research, development, and innovation (R&D&I).

Saini emphasized the relevance of FONTAGRO networks, which accelerate the development of nutritional solutions by connecting countries, agricultural research and innovation institutes, universities, and the private sector. This effort facilitates the transition of innovation from "laboratory to plate," prioritizing healthy, affordable, and sustainable diets. This is evidenced by the integration of agriculture and nutrition in the iron-rich bean project, which aims to bridge the communication and knowledge gap between producers, consumers, and food environments.

*Learn more about this project here.

The event was attended by various authorities from Panama, including Gilda Montenegro, National Director of Nutrition and School Health of the Ministry of Education; Alexandra Rodríguez, General Director of IDIAP; and Maika Barría, Lead Researcher of the FONTAGRO Iron-Rich Beans Project, as well as producers and members of Panama's agro-industrial sector.

This meeting marks a significant step toward improving nutritional health and agricultural sustainability in the region.