CWA is the subregion’s most important forum for dialogue, convened with the aim to reach consensus on the future of agriculture and rural life. Participants at the event include key stakeholders in the Caribbean from both the public and private sectors.

The initiative is promoted by IICA; Bayer; Cenfotec, Creativa de Costa Rica and Zamorano universities; the Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (AEI) of Ecuador; the Latin American Organization of Young Agro-entrepreneurs (OLAJ); I4NATURE and 4-H Clubs. The winning proposal will be announced on November 8.

That was the conclusion drawn by senior officials from countries in the Americas and representatives of the private sector, academia and international organizations who took part in the panel discussion “Digitalization of agriculture as a determining factor in the transformation of food systems: a perspective from the Americas,” organized by the IICA as a side event to the Food Systems Summit convened by the UN Secretary General.

Ambassadors and Representatives to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) underscored the importance of the hemispheric agreement that IICA helped to consolidate regarding food systems and its promotion of agriculture as a driver of post-Covid-19 recovery.

Winners will receive cash prizes for the purchase of inputs and services, scholarships to participate in specialization courses in the area of bioeconomy and the opportunity to be part of a bio-entrepreneurship support network.

The training course begins 23 September, is free of charge and available at the IICA e-learning platform, https://elearning.iica.int/.