On April 24, FONTAGRO held an important webinar titled “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture: Hydroponics and Soilless Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean,” where experts from INTA – Argentina, AGROSAVIA – Colombia, IDIAP – Panama, and Crimson Ag – USA came together to discuss the technological innovations that are revolutionizing sustainable agriculture.

This event, organized by FONTAGRO, highlighted the need to promote sustainable agriculture through the use of advanced technologies, particularly in urban settings where food security is becoming increasingly challenging. During the webinar, participants explored hydroponic and soilless farming techniques that optimize resource efficiency and enable significant increases in agricultural yields.

Among the key topics discussed was the importance of vertical farming in urban areas, such as Panama, where more than 70% of the population resides in cities. This methodology not only helps diversify agricultural production but also addresses challenges related to climate change and the scarcity of arable land.

Participants had the opportunity to exchange knowledge on nutrient management, environmental control, and the optimization of hydroponic systems. Engineers and scientists emphasized the need to understand nutrient solution formulation as well as the management of pH and conductivity to ensure optimal plant growth.

Additionally, the essential components for the success of vertical farming projects were discussed, including the selection of appropriate crops and the effective use of nutrient solutions. The innovation in hydroponic agriculture revealed that it is possible to achieve yields of over 1,000 tons per hectare annually, offering an encouraging prospect for local farmers and entrepreneurs.

As we move toward a more sustainable future, this webinar underscores the importance of adopting new technologies and practices in agriculture, which are vital to meeting the growing demand for fresh, high-quality food in Latin America and the Caribbean.

To view the recording of this webinar, visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/bCSRMvfqykI?si=H-46-8aPzVKVxspW

To learn more about FONTAGRO’s Vertical Agriculture project, visit: https://webstories.fontagro.org/agricultura-vertical-indoor-agricultura-protegida/en

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About FONTAGRO

FONTAGRO was created 1998 with the purpose of promoting the increase of the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and the reduction of poverty in the region. The objective of FONTAGRO is to establish itself as a sustainable financing mechanism for the development of agricultural technology and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean and Spain, and to establish a forum for the discussion of priority topics of technological innovation. The member countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. In the last 27 years 204 regional agricultural innovation platforms have been co-financed for an amount of US $ 150.7 million, which has reached 531 institutions and 35 countries worldwide.