Technologies associated with vertical farming, hydroponics, and soilless cultivation systems are opening up new opportunities to transform horticultural production in Latin America and the Caribbean. Against this backdrop, researchers linked to the project "Vertical Farming: Innovation for Horticulture in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)" participated in the 43rd Argentine Horticulture Congress, held from September 15 to 18 in Mendoza, Argentina.

The delegation comprised specialists from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama who took part in the in-person module dedicated to technologies transforming food production—specifically focusing on hydroponics, soilless cultivation, and vertical farming.

The event provided a forum for sharing knowledge and experiences regarding new forms of horticultural production, as well as for learning about technological developments and applications aimed at improving production efficiency, optimizing resource use, and enhancing the functional quality of food.

As part of the activities, Madeleyne Parra Fuentes (AGROSAVIA, Colombia), Javier Pitti Caballero (IDIAP, Panama), and Stephanie Quirós (INTA, Costa Rica) participated in a technical tour of INTA’s Mendoza Agricultural Experiment Station, focusing on soilless cultivation systems.

Germán Aguado, an INTA researcher and the project's Argentine focal point, accompanied the delegation on a tour of laboratories and technology platforms that have been actively involved in the FONTAGRO project's activities during 2025 and 2026.

Sites visited included the Sustainable Agrotechnology Laboratory—including its protected-environment production modules for vertical farming—the Aromas and Natural Substances Laboratory, the Agri-food Laboratory, and the Soil, Water, and Plant Material Laboratory.

The visit offered a firsthand look at the research and development capabilities available in Mendoza and provided an opportunity to explore ways to further strengthen cooperation among institutions in the region. A key outcome of this gathering was the inaugural meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean group of professionals dedicated to soilless agriculture, which brought together specialists from various regions of Argentina alongside representatives from Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Chile.

The meeting facilitated the identification of avenues for innovation, technology transfer, and collaboration with companies specializing in vertical farming and soilless production, while also allowing for an exchange of experiences regarding the challenges and opportunities these systems present for regional horticulture.

The exchange also sparked a discussion on the potential of these technologies to enhance production system efficiency and improve the functional quality of food through production models that incorporate new technologies and management strategies.

These activities underscore the importance of creating regional forums where science, innovation, and cooperation enable the analysis of new alternatives for more efficient food production and help address the current challenges facing agrifood systems.