Nicaragua has been member of FONTAGRO since its creation in 1998 with a contribution of US$ 1.0 million. During the 22 years of membership, Nicaragua has participated in 29 consortiums representing a total of US$ 25.7 million, of which US $ 9.5 million were contributed by FONTAGRO and other agencies. Additionally, Nicaragua has led 3 of these 29 consortiums. The projects in which Nicaragua has participated have included research and technological development in coffee, corn, bean, banana, rice, cassava, tomato and palm crops. Nicaragua has also participated in livestock projects, production chains, food safety, rural extension, among others.
Some of the most important results are:
- It was discovered that relative humidity and precipitation are the two most important factors in the development of the epidemic caused by the Black sigakota of banana, as well as the progress curve of this disease.
- F1 hybrid clones of Coffea arabica were developed that have shown significantly higher productions (up to 150 % more on average) and of the same quality as the traditional varieties. There are possibilities to increase the quality of coffee produced in low areas, with the planting of selected clones for these altitudes.
- A manual of good management practices for the safety of lettuce and tomato was created.
- Predatory mites of Steneotarsonemus spinki of the genera Neoseiulus, Propioseiopsis, Pseudoparasitus and Hypoaspis were identified, which weaken the sustainable production of rice.
- Three promising lines of improved rice germplasm that are in the final evaluation phase were identified. INTA Fortaleza tolerant to the mite-fungus-bacteria complex was released.
- Two varieties of maize tolerant to climate change and pod rot were released.
STRENGTHENING
- The platforms increased the efficiency and effectiveness of research and innovation, strengthening the capacities of researchers.
- Technical, organizational and institutional strengthening at national and international level.
- Access to partnerships in projects with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Center for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT), the International Potato Center (CIP), CATIE, SICTA-IICA, PROMECAFE, CIRAD of France, Bioversity, Texas University, EMBRAPA of Brazil, etc. Through these, we have also obtained access to multiple international cooperation networks such as the Latin Potato Network where institutions from more than 11 countries participate at a global level, PROMECAFE, CGIAR, etc.
- The FONTAGRO projects generate privileged and free access to technologies, contacts, publications, case studies and international networks.