The webinar “Fungi in focus: bioproducts for climate-resilient crops” brought together a group of experts from leading agricultural research organizations to emphasize the power of collaboration and innovation in sustainable agriculture.
Led by FONTAGRO, and in collaboration with New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA), the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA) – Colombia, the Institute of Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research (INBIOTEC) – Argentina, the National Federation of cereal, legume, and soybean Growers (FENALCE) – Colombia, AgResearch – New Zealand, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) – Argentina, and the National University of Quilmes (UNQUI) – Argentina, the main goal of the event was to present the strategy these organizations will pursue as part of a FONTAGRO project to improve the production and climate resilience of maize through the use and integration of beneficial fungi.
The innovative strategy presented aims to utilize previously evaluated microbiological biodiversity, searching for added value through its integration to help mitigate the effects of climate change. The focus on biological products not only aims to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change, but also promotes environmentally friendly, economically viable practices that benefit local communities.
The result was an enriching webinar that reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration to address challenges and seize opportunities in the agricultural sector of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Dr. Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO and the webinar moderator, concluded: “This project represents the power of innovation and collaboration. By focusing on biological products, we are not only improving the resilience of our agricultural systems to climate change, but also promoting practices that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and beneficial to local communities.” She also highlighted FONTAGRO’s support for research and initiatives that foster innovation, sustainability, and resilience.
The webinar recording is available at: https://www.youtube.com/live/xmsMMPLnrnM?si=wcS9Z3XXeIpPiimd
Learn more about this project at: https://www.fontagro.minimalart.info/new/proyectos/resiliencia-bioproductos/en
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About FONTAGRO
FONTAGRO was created 1998 with the purpose of promoting the increase of the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and the reduction of poverty in the region. The objective of FONTAGRO is to establish itself as a sustainable financing mechanism for the development of agricultural technology and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean and Spain, and to establish a forum for the discussion of priority topics of technological innovation. The member countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. In the last 21 years 167 regional agricultural innovation platforms have been co-financed for an amount of US $ 124 million, which has reached 452 institutions and 33 countries worldwide.