With support from IICA, CropLife program trains nearly 500 agricultural officials from El Salvador, Panama, Honduras and the Dominican Republic in good agricultural practices

San Jose, 8 November 2023 (IICA). Nearly 500 agronomists and technicians from the ministries of Agriculture of El Salvador, Panama, Honduras and the Dominican Republic are now better equipped to act as agents of change and improve good agricultural practices in their countries, thanks to the CuidAgro program spearheaded by CropLife Latin America and its network of associations, with support from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

In addition to the ministries, this multiplier training project benefited from the participation of strategic partners such as the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE) and the National University of Agriculture (UNAG) in Honduras, the National School of Agriculture in El Salvador, and the Inter-American Development Bank in the Dominican Republic.

“Education as a driver of change is necessary to professionalize agriculture and promote better agricultural practices in line with the new technologies available and with the crucial task of increasing productive efficiency and agricultural sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean”, said Manuel Otero, IICA Director General, at the online ceremony held in several countries simultaneously in which diplomas were symbolically awarded to some of the participants.

The presentation of the diplomas took place at IICA headquarters in Costa Rica and at the Institute’s delegations in Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

“The production of more food on less land, employing better agricultural practices and protecting the environment and farmers’ health, is the CuidAgro program’s objective in 18 Latin American countries. Today we recognize the commitment of the more than 450 graduates, who took the CropLife Latin America online courses and attended the in-person training, and who now have the responsibility of serving as agents of change to improve agricultural practices on the land”, explained José Perdomo, President of CropLife Latin America.

Under the multiplier or cascade training methodology, the CuidAgro program, spearheaded by CropLife Latin America and implemented by its network of national associations, has trained more than 2.5 million people in the last 12 years. The 469 instructors receiving their diploma today are committed to passing on their knowledge to 45,000 farmers within a period of 12 months.

The use of personal protective equipment, the careful reading of labels, responsible applications using the correct product, and the recommended dose administered at the correct time, make a difference when it comes to protecting crops from pests, weeds and diseases with good agricultural practices.

“These training activities help farmers to make informed technical decisions on their land and enhance their capacity to adapt to climate change and adopt new technologies such as the use of drones in agriculture”, added Manuel Otero.

More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int