Technical cooperation can advance technology transfer

Technicians from the International Italian-Latin American Organization (IILA), the National Rural Learning Service (SENA)-Colombia and Embrapa Meio-Norte discussed the feasibility of a partnership between the institutions

23.02.2022 | 14:30 (UTC -3)
Embrapa
Technicians from the International Italian-Latin American Organization (IILA), the National Rural Learning Service (SENA)-Colombia and Embrapa Meio-Norte discussed the feasibility of a partnership between the institutions. - Photo: Magda Cruciol
Technicians from the International Italian-Latin American Organization (IILA), the National Rural Learning Service (SENA)-Colombia and Embrapa Meio-Norte discussed the feasibility of a partnership between the institutions. - Photo: Magda Cruciol

Technicians from the International Italo-Latin American Organization (IILA), the National Rural Learning Service (SENA)-Colombia and Embrapa Meio-Norte discussed on Monday 21st the feasibility of a partnership between the institutions, especially on transfer actions technology for agriculture in the territory of the Paz Colombia Project, one of several successful initiatives among Colombians.

This future partnership will be part of a multilateral agreement and will directly focus on small and medium-sized producers in three Colombian territories: Huila, Antioquia and Cauca. Anísio Lima, general head of Embrapa Meio-Norte, opened the meeting by presenting the different technical expertise and themes of Embrapa Meio-Norte, such as Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration Systems, Sisteminha/Embrapa/UFU, plant genetic improvement and animals and conservation and use of native breeds.

Among the highlighted works, he cited the national cowpea genetic improvement program, beekeeping actions, genetic conservation of native breeds and biofortified foods. “We need to move forward with our brothers in Latin America, transforming realities from the field, with sustainability,” he said.

Cristian Brisacani, employee of the Italian Cooperation Service at IILA, ​​explained the role and functioning of the intergovernmental organization that brings together more than 26 countries in Europe and Latin America and detailed the Peace Colombia project. “We work with partners, city halls, universities, a public policy applied at a territorial level. We have a researcher leading the project and this exchange of experiences is very significant as we develop horizontal cooperation. An exchange to strengthen cooperation between Italy and Latin American countries is very welcome,” he emphasized.

“May we move forward, as we welcome this partnership to bring impact to Colombian fields”, said Cândido Herrera González, regional director of the Agricultural Center of Colombia. “With this international cooperation we can contribute to improving local indicators in Colombia. It is important to transfer technologies at a territorial level, as research is part of this development”, guaranteed Nicola Michelon, national coordinator of the Paz Colombia project.

Adão Cabral, technology transfer analyst at Embrapa Meio-Norte, presented the main experiences from the interior of Piauí and Maranhão and the nutritional potential for use in human and animal nutrition. When presenting the sweet potato, he explained that the orange color indicates high levels of beta-carotene and that the Beuregard cultivar, the first cultivar introduced in Brazil, has high productive potential.

“But you need to observe the harvesting point depending on the size of the root”, he said, when explaining the peculiarities of the cultivar. According to Cabral, the Biofort project, developed in the Mid-North region of Brazil, has always sought the involvement of communities and the multiplication of technicians who could disseminate knowledge to their places of origin.

“In Piauí, we involved the network of EFAs – family-agricultural schools”, he explained. The project works with precision drip irrigation in small areas with great productive performance. “ Remembering that the cultivars BRS Aracê, Tumucumaque and Xique-Xique have high levels of zinc and iron. Tumucumaque, for example, cooks for around 13 minutes, a characteristic that appeals to the consumer market. Aracê has the appeal of the color that sets it apart.”

Waldemir Queiroz presented the principles of the integrated food system, Sisteminha, particularities and potentialities of the technology, as well as its ways of implementing it with family farmers and its advantages in food security. Researcher Francisco Seixas, on the other hand, showed the vigor of cashews such as BRS 226 and crops such as acerola with productive potential for Colombia.

“This proposed agreement with Embrapa is very important. It is a very important topic for our region in order to promote regional development”, said Miguel Alírio Argote - professional training coordinator at the Agricultural Center of Colombia, Huila Regional,

At the end of the meeting, the manager of Embrapa Meio-Norte recalled the importance of cooperation and the great social and community interest involved in consolidating this agreement. “I want to thank you and say that we are available to add our expertise and knowledge and change the reality of many people,” he said. A dedicated team will continue to take care of the legal and bureaucratic details to carry out the cooperation.

IILA is an intergovernmental body, based in Rome, established in 1966, under the name of Instituto Italo-Latino Americano, to be a tool for stimulating and strengthening relations between Italy (Europe) and Latin America. The member states of the Organization are Italy and the 20 Republics of Latin America (Argentina, Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama , Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).

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