Uruguay has been part of FONTAGRO since its creation in 1998 with a contribution of US$ 2.5 million. During the 22 years of membership, Uruguay has led 13 consortiums for US $ 11.0 million and participated in 41 consortiums for US$ 38.1 million, of which US$ 11.4 million were contributed by FONTAGRO and other agencies. The projects have included research and technological development for livestock, rice, wheat, potatoes, barley, citrus, apple, fodder, risk management, water use efficiency, organic production, among others.
Some important results:
- The industrial quality of wheat was improved after investigating molecular factors associated with gluten quality.
- Sustainable production of apple trees was improved through new alternatives for pest control.
- Durable resistance to the most common rice disease caused by Pyricularia grisea.
- An information and monitoring system was established for the evaluation of risks in agricultural production associated with climatic variability and the technological level.
- Many professionals and producers were trained in the different projects.
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 with the International Center for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Washington State University (USA), Purdue University (USA), the Department of Ecological Modeling (Germany), Institute National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon – France, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of New Zealand, INIFAP – Mexico, INTA – Argentina, EMBRAPA – Brazil, INIA – Chile, DIA – Paraguay, Catholic University of Chile, National Univ. Mar del PlataArgentina, IRGA – Brazil, etc. Through them, access was also gained to multiple international cooperation
networks such as the Global Alliance for Research on Agriculture and Greenhouse Gases, which includes 41 countries worldwide, CGIAR, etc. - The FONTAGRO projects generate privileged and free access to technologies, contacts, publications, case studies and international networks.