In a joint effort, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO) held a webinar titled “New approaches to data collection on national agricultural research systems.” This virtual event aimed to share and promote efficiency in data collection at the national level, emphasizing the importance of ASTI Indicators to strengthen agricultural research information systems.
During the webinar, the need to increase the frequency and relevance of data collection was emphasized, in order to encourage its ownership and use by countries, without relying solely on external resources. Pilot projects were announced, which will serve as a basis for extracting key lessons to be shared with other nations, with a view to advancing towards a global round scheduled for 2025.
Presentations were given by renowned experts in the field, including Dr. Hernán Muñoz, Statistical coordinator of FAO’s ASTI program, who introduced new approaches to the production of agricultural science and technology indicators. Similarly, Dr. Juan Fernando Martínez, Science, Technology, and Innovation Specialist at IICA, addressed the role of data in the context of the Forum of the Americas for Agricultural Research and Technological Development (FORAGRO), while Dr. Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO, provided relevant commentary on the subject.
To access the recording of this webinar, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/live/mr_qdcyVMxg?si=Qx_llgI_iNWT698A
This event represents a significant step toward finding effective tools to strengthen agricultural research information systems at the national level, aiming to foster sustainable development in the sector.
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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 21 years 167 regional agricultural innovation platforms have been co-financed for an amount of US $ 124 million, which has reached 452 institutions and 33 countries worldwide.