New Mexico State University and IICA strengthen partnership to develop initiatives on soil, water, energy and digital technology in the Americas
San Jose, 8 April 2022 (IICA) – New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will drive sustainable agriculture in the Americas, by using digital technologies and carbon management as tools for rural socioeconomic development.
A high-level delegation from the U.S. educational institution, headed by Chancellor, Dan Arvizu, visited IICA Headquarters in Costa Rica and met with Director General, Manuel Otero, to explore common fields of work, agreeing on actions involving soils, water, renewable energy and digital agriculture.
Arvizue and Otero signed a commitment that included timely initiatives addressing issues such as the bioeconomy and climate change.
The agreement further expands on an already existing agreement between NMSU and IICA, signed in February 2019, which focuses on research, education and agricultural extension services, and which has led to the development of activities in digital agriculture and livestock production, as well as carbon management and sequestration.
Dan Arvizu remarked that, “This is a great opportunity to strengthen this association. Tackling global challenges, such as decarbonization, the future of water, energy, soil health and food security, is an important part of these strategic partnerships, in order to move towards sustainable agriculture and to accelerate the application of advanced technologies in the agriculture sector”.
More specifically, he mentioned that, “We are interested in the use of artificial intelligence, synthetic biology and big data analysis. There is an impending Bio-revolution that is already underway and we want to be on the cutting edge of developments”.
New Mexico State University and IICA also agreed to consider hosting a hemispheric summit on sustainable development, inviting ministers of Agriculture, the Environment and Energy of the region to analyze agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions and to promote joint solutions to current challenges in the sector.
Manuel Otero also revealed that, “There is also the possibility that we may jointly develop a robot, based on technology that they have developed, as well as offer joint courses on the Internet of Things for agriculture. NMSU may also come on board the Living Soils of the Americas initiative, spearheaded by IICA”.
Moreover, he indicated that, “Currently, the problems that are hindering rural and agricultural development are resolved with multidisciplinary approaches”.
Accompanying Arvizu, as part of the university delegation, were Rolando Flores, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES); Leslie Cervantes, Chief of Staff to the Chancellor; Sherry Kollmann, Vice Provost for Digital Learning Initiatives; Manoj K Shukla, Professor of Environmental Soil Physics and Director of the ACES Global Programs; and Mario Allegri, Gerald Thomas Chair at NMSU.
The New Mexico State University representatives also visited the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) in Turrialba, Costa Rica.
The NMSU campus is located in Las Cruces, the second most important city in the state, after the capital, Albuquerque. It boasts more than 14,000 students from 49 States in the country and 89 foreign countries.
It has cooperative extension offices in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties and 12 agricultural research and science centers.
The educational institution has extensive expertise in the management of arid and semi-arid terrains, as well as in carbon management and soil health in these environments. It focuses on research, education and the dissemination of natural climate solutions to foster profitable practices that provide additional income for farmers and livestock producers in New Mexico. Founded in 1888, NMSU offers 28 doctoral degree programs, 58 master’s degree programs and 97 baccalaureate majors.
Timely visit and collaboration
During the visit to IICA Headquarters, the NMSU delegation was given an introduction to some of the IICA of Open Doors initiatives, namely the Interpretive Center for Tomorrow’s Agriculture (CIMAG) and the Digital Fab Lab, focusing on innovation in agricultural technology.
The New Mexico State University Chancellor stated that, “I was impressed with what I saw at IICA’s facilities. They are exceptional and revolutionary. We must accelerate the implementation of high-tech tools, digital technology of all kinds, to improve the way in which we produce food”.
Under the agreement, both organization will develop a hemispheric platform of internships to include teachers, officials and students.
In the area of digital agriculture, the commitment will seek to facilitate youth capacity development to assist in bridging the digital divide and using digital technologies to foster agricultural transformation.
In terms of the bioeconomy, the agreement will focus on building awareness about its potential in agriculture and rural territories, promotion of bio-entrepreneurship, new biofuel-related businesses (ethanol and biodiesel), pharmaceutical products, medicinal plants, indigenous crops for soil regeneration, the use of waste and preservatives, and support for bioeconomy-based policies.
It will also promote renewable energy use in the Americas, associated with agriculture, primarily bioenergy, as well as wind and solar energy.
On the matter of climate change, IICA will promote soil health and resilience measures in its Member States through activities, technical documents and cutting-edge programs on improved practices involving soil management, crops, nutrients and water in various agrifood systems, as well as on the impact of different natural resource management practices on carbon sequestration and ecosystem services.
More information:
Emmanuel Picado, Manager of Information and Communication Technologies and Digital Agriculture, IICA.
emmanuel.picado@iica.int