The visit also afforded the Canadians an opportunity to share their experiences in specialized technical advisory services, extension and rural innovation with the Chileans.

The Chileans presented an overview of agriculture in their country, and the IICA specialists stationed there provided details on the work being carried out and the partnerships that have been created to make their work more effective.

During the visit, the representatives of AACTI and CCAA also met with representatives of the Agrarian Research Group (GIA), the Council of Deans of Schools of Agronomy, the Corporation for the Social Development of the Rural Sector (CODESSER) and Technology Transfer Groups (GTT) to explore areas of common interest and to discuss the possibility of exchanges of consultancy services and programs of innovation and rural extension.

A number of organizations signed letters of intent. For example, CCAA and INDAP signed an agreement to support the development of a network of agricultural consultants and improve the quality of the services provided by agricultural consultants in Chile.

Under the letter of intent signed by AACTI and INDAP, a framework will be established for applied research and innovation to collaborate in the development and implementation of special initiatives and undertakings. The letter signed by AACTI and CODESSER focuses on education, training, professional development, exchanges, applied research and innovation. Under the terms of the letter, CODESSER will visit Alberta in the near future to explore possibilities for cooperation in the form of exchanges of students and professors.

For more information, contact
GPagani@iica.cl