The agreement, which will be in force between 2009 and 2012, is aimed at promoting technological change in the agriculture and forestry sector in Central America, with a view to making it more efficient and modern.
According to President of SICTA, Max Myrol Gonzalez, in this effort, it is essential that the technology innovation systems of the countries complement one another. SICTA, created by the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC), is the regional body that coordinates the agricultural research agendas of the seven countries of Central America.
Its strategic partners are IICA, which supports the operation of the national technology innovation systems and serves as the SICTA Executive Secretariat, and CATIE, which provides training for professionals and researchers.
This strategic partnership was created in the first technical and administrative cooperation agreement they signed in 2003, which remained in effect until 2008.
“By signing this second agreement, the countries wish to form national agricultural technology systems. That will require the integration of the different institutions that engage in innovation, transfer and extension activities. The consolidation of these systems will later be reflected in the SICTA,” Gonzalez said.
The Minister of Agriculture of Costa Rica, Javier Flores, who participated in the event, underscored the urgency of “strengthening the ties that link our institutions because, unless we strengthen our institutions we will not be able to bring technologies, and the opportunities they provide, to farmers.”
For his part, the Director General of IICA, Chelston W.D. Brathwaite, who was also present at the signing, stated “The strategy of promoting interinstitutional partnerships creates opportunities for meeting the needs of the participants in agrifood chains.”
A similar opinion was expressed by the Director General of CATIE, Jose Joaquin Campos, who warned that “To be able to innovate and meet the challenges of today, an efficient scientific and technological platform is required. At CATIE, we believe strongly in partnerships and in integration, and we want to support the process of regional integration in the area of agricultural technology.”
For more information, contact
francisco.enciso@iica.int