Iberoamerican
researchers meet at CIP
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| Participants at the Iberoamerica
meeting visiting the successful CIRNMA project
in Puno, Peru. |
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Research collaboration in the Latin America region was
strengthened at the 2nd meeting of the Iberoamerican alliance
held at CIP headquarters in March in Lima.
Scientists and researchers from national agricultural
research institutes (NARIs) of Argentina, Chile, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Portugal,
Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela. Spain, Portugal, CIP, CIAT
and CIMMYT signed an agreement establishing a permanent
forum for advancing cooperation
in research, training and information for food and agriculture
research. The agreement was signed by Señor Carlos
Diaz Valcarcel, Ambassador of Spain to Peru.
“We are delighted that so many senior representatives
of national agricultural research systems attended the
meeting”, said Hugo Li-Pun, Deputy Director General
for Corporate Development, CIP. “This is an important
step in linking institutes around the world, and will
provide many new opportunities for collaborative research
and training.”
In addition to opening channels for training and information
exchange, the alliance aims to increase agricultural exports
of Latin American countries. “Participants were excited
at the potential opportunities that the collaboration
presents”, adds Dr. Li-Pun. “Poverty and environmental
degradation remain significant challenges in Latin America,
but with additional support and cooperation from Spain
and Portugal, these challenges can be met.”
The alliance is focusing on training activities in research
management and collaboration in key areas such as genetic
resources, food safety and quality, reduction of post-harvest
losses, agro-industry, and improved management of natural
resources.
Participants also visited a long-running project in Puno,
in the Peruvian Highlands. Supported by Spain, the project
involves collaboration with the Government of Peru, CIP,
and the Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales
y Medio Ambiente (CIRNMA), a Peruvian NGO. The project
focuses on poverty reduction in rural areas through improved
farming systems, conservation of native potatoes, processing
and promotion of Andean products including yacon (an Andean
root crop), quinoa, milk and cheese, sheep and alpaca
meat and fiber.
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