XX FONTAGRO Annual Technical Follow-up Workshop Projects, entitled “Connecting Science, Technology, and Agriculture,” concluded successfully in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from July 1 to 3, 2025, bringing together leading figures from the agricultural sector and representatives from 15 agricultural research institutes from FONTAGRO member countries. This event not only served as a platform for knowledge sharing but also strengthened collaboration among various organizations dedicated to agricultural research and development.
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This event not only served as a platform for knowledge sharing, but also to strengthen collaboration among various organizations dedicated to agricultural research and development.
The event brought together prominent figures from the agricultural sector, including Mr. Limber Cruz, Minister of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic; Dr. Rafael Ortiz, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. Jorge Ganoza, Vice President of FONTAGRO and Head of INIA Peru; Dr. Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO; Dr. Eladio Arnaud Santana, Executive Director of the Dominican Institute of Agricultural Research (IDIAF); Dr. Pedro Martel, Chief of the Environment, Rural Development, and Risk and Disaster Management Division of the Inter-American Development Bank; and Dr. Gabriela Quiroga, IICA Representative in the Dominican Republic. Also present were 15 directors of agricultural research institutes from FONTAGRO member countries, as well as Dr. Santiago Alberto Derqui, Executive Director of the Argeninta Foundation; Dr. Deissy Martínez-Barón, Regional Leader for Climate Action in Latin America and the Caribbean for the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT; and 24 researchers from the region leading research projects aimed at boosting agri-food systems.
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Researchers from the region presented the progress of 24 projects that received a total of $21.1 million in co-funding. These projects span 18 countries and involve the collaboration of 122 organizations dedicated to developing innovative R&D solutions to strengthen agri-food systems.
The national agricultural research institutes leading the research are: INTA – Argentina, INIAF – Bolivia, INIA – Chile, AGROSAVIA – Colombia, INTA – Costa Rica, INIAP – Ecuador, INIA – Spain, DICTA – Honduras, INTA – Nicaragua, IDIAP – Panama, IPTA – Paraguay, INIA – Peru, IDIAF – Dominican Republic, INIA – Uruguay e INIA – Venezuela. More information.
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During the workshop, two prestigious FONTAGRO Excellence Awards were presented to innovative projects that have made a difference in the sector.
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A training workshop was held with 24 researchers from the region, focusing on Digital Communication and Scientific Dissemination skills. This training, facilitated by FONTAGRO experts, included the creation of accessible scientific content and the use of visualization and social media tools to effectively communicate research advances.
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As part of the workshop activities, participants took a technical tour of various agroindustrial institutions, including Finca Victorina Agroindustrial and COOPESUR in the Azua region of the Dominican Republic. These visits allowed researchers to learn firsthand about successful practices in the agroindustrial sector and discuss food safety and security.
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International Connections
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The workshop brought together representatives from 15 countries and 122 organizations working in agricultural research and development. The presentations and discussions fostered a valuable exchange of experiences and collaboration around the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector.
This important event not only served as a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences, but also reaffirmed FONTAGRO’s commitment to improving agriculture in the region through innovation and collaborative work. The projects presented, the training sessions conducted, and the field visits generated an environment conducive to learning and creativity among researchers and participants. For more details, visit Science Week 2025.
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Copyright 2025 – Inter American Development Bank / All rights reserved.
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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.
