Digital technologies are making a significant contribution to higher agricultural yields, sustainable development, the establishment of supply chain links, and irrigation, traceability and certification.

Designed for young people working in the agriculture sectors of 34 countries in the Americas, the course starts on 28 June and registration is now open.

The initiative is intended to encourage secondary school students to continue their education and to facilitate social inclusion of young people in the post-pandemic period by promoting the rights of the youth most affected by the challenges of virtual education.

Designed to promote agricultural trade, the course is part of the actions of IICA’s International Trade and Regional Integration Program, working in collaboration with the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), FAO, and the Executive Secretariat of the Central American Agricultural Council (SECAC).

High levels of urbanization and informal labor have caused the Covid-19 pandemic to hit Latin America and the Caribbean harder than the rest of the world. Within this context, it was underscored that during the recession, agriculture acts as a cushion and a driver of recovery and growth.

Direct planting systems open opportunities to eliminate tillage and sequester carbon in soil through photosynthesis while reducing the use of fossil fuels and, in turn, greenhouse gas emissions.