FONTAGRO is an alliance of Latin American and Caribbean countries that supports research and innovation in agriculture. FONTAGRO aims at reducing poverty, promoting competitiveness of agri-food chains and sustainably managing natural resources.
MEMBER COUNTRIES
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
STRUCTURE OF FONTAGRO
A Board representing member countries and a Technical Administrative Secretariat (TAS).
SPONSORING INSTITUTIONS
The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
INVESTMENTS
US$82.86 million invested by member countries plus counterpart project funding and other resources provided by sponsors and other research and development organizations.
A UNIQUE MECHANISM
A competitive and transparent mechanism to allocated funding to research and innovation projects executed in consortia between research organizations of two or more member countries. FONTAGRO uses interests generated by its capital fund and by grants from other organizations that share the Fund’s mission. Independent experts assess the proposals on the basis of established socio-economic and environmental criteria, technical competence and institutional capacity.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
FONTAGRO has supported 73 projects to improve productivity, better use natural resources, including genetic resources, strengthen innovation capacities in the agri-food chains, increase competitiveness, adapt to climate change, promote food safety and strengthen agricultural policies. FONTAGRO has committed $24 million in grant funds, it has mobilized over $42.8 million in counterpart funding and has received over 362 proposals.
ALLIANCES
FONTAGRO has encouraged cooperation in science and technology among member countries and centers of excellence. It has developed alliances and cooperation with national, regional and international organizations including members of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), AECID of Spain, IADB, IICA, the Government of New Zealand, universities and the private sector.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The Board of Directors approved the Medium Term Plan 2010-2015, to fine tune research priorities, and to embark on an ambitious financial consolidation plan. The Board agreed as well to emphasize innovation as a framework for action, strengthen evaluation of results and impacts, and dissemination of knowledge. FONTAGRO will continue to organize yearly meetings to review the technical progress of all active projects.
MEDIUM TERM PLAN 2010-2015
This third Medium Term Plan identifies technological innovation for small-scale agricultural enterprises and units, focusing on.
- Opportunities to link producers to markets and knowledge flows
- Opportunities in climate change adaptation
- Opportunities in productive and sustainable use of natural resources