In September, the government of Thailand, through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), launched an international call for the training program “High-Value Crop Cultivation in Controlled Environments and Greenhouses,” held at Maejo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Representing Latin America, the Panamanian agricultural researcher Javier E. Pitti C., Ph.D., from the Institute of Agricultural Innovation of Panama (IDIAP), was selected by this agency, consolidating the region's presence in strategic agricultural innovation scenarios on a global scale.

This notable participation significantly strengthens the regional project: Vertical Agriculture: Innovation for Horticulture in Latin America and the Caribbean, funded by FONTAGRO. This collaborative effort involves the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA - Argentina), the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA - Colombia), the National Institute for Innovation and Technology Transfer in Agricultural Technology (INTA - Costa Rica), and the Institute of Agricultural Innovation (IDIAP - Panama), where Dr. Pitti serves as the lead researcher. Together, they position the region as an emerging reference in the development and adaptation of advanced technologies for horticultural production in controlled environments.

Indoor and greenhouse agriculture represents one of the most dynamic trends globally, enabling the sustainable production of high-value crops such as fruits, medicinal herbs, and ornamental plants through precise control of variables like light, temperature, CO₂, and nutrition. The integration of technologies such as LED lighting, automation, and hydroponic systems optimizes resource use, increases productivity, enhances product quality, and ensures year-round production, contributing to food security and the competitiveness of countries.

During the program, our representative actively participated in a technical exchange with representatives from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, strengthening networks for international cooperation, technology transfer, and scientific innovation, with the aim of adapting these experiences to the productive context of Latin America and the Caribbean.