🌱✨ Nestlé and CATIE Unite for Pioneering Genetic Improvement Initiatives in Coffee and Cocoa ✨🌱
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Nestlé and CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) are joining forces to explore innovative genetic improvement initiatives for coffee and cocoa. This partnership aims to bring significant advancements to both the coffee and cocoa industries, while also promoting the conservation of genetic biodiversity.
A Landmark Visit
A distinguished delegation from Nestlé, led by Damien Drouet, head of the Coffee and Cocoa Research and Development Department, recently visited CATIE's facilities. The primary goal of this visit was to gain an in-depth understanding of CATIE's cutting-edge capabilities and to lay the groundwork for new collaborative projects.
During their two-day visit, Nestlé representatives, including Juan Carlos Herrera Pinilla, a biologist and expert in plant breeding, and Eduardo Beche, a specialist in plant genetics, were thoroughly impressed by CATIE's state-of-the-art infrastructure, technical expertise, and commitment to sustainable practices. The delegation left with a treasure trove of ideas for future collaborative endeavors.
Insights from the Delegation
"We are highly impressed by CATIE's infrastructure and capabilities. We see immense potential for future collaborations in areas of mutual interest such as sustainability and the improvement of coffee and cocoa varieties," remarked Damien Drouet. His statement underscores the promising future of this partnership.
New Projects on the Horizon
The Nestlé team, already engaged in several projects with CATIE, used this visit to deepen their knowledge of the center's farms, collections and practices. They identified several new opportunities for cooperation, including a new cocoa variety trial project. This project aims to identify disease-resistant strains that can adapt to new growing conditions, a crucial step in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Additionally, the delegation explored the possibility of establishing a comprehensive framework agreement to outline long-term collaboration initiatives. Juan Carlos Herrera Pinilla emphasized the importance of preserving genetic richness: "For Nestlé, preserving the genetic richness that we will utilize in the future is vital, particularly in light of the challenges posed by climate change and the imperative to enhance disease-free production."
Reinforcing Existing Collaborations
CATIE and Nestlé have a longstanding partnership, exemplified by their work at La Lola farm. Here, they evaluate promising cocoa clones, further underscoring the importance of this collaboration. Nestlé's recent visit strengthens this partnership and highlights the critical need to continue working together on projects that benefit both the coffee and cocoa communities and the conservation of genetic biodiversity.
CATIE's International Cocoa Collection: A Global Treasure
CATIE's International Cocoa Collection stands as one of the most important in the world, housing extensive genetic diversity. Over its 80-year history, it has been a cornerstone in the research and improvement of cocoa varieties, significantly contributing to the sustainable development and productivity of the global cocoa sector.
Looking Forward
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting collaboration between Nestlé and CATIE. Together, they are paving the way for a sustainable future in the coffee and cocoa industries, ensuring the preservation of genetic biodiversity and the advancement of agricultural innovation.
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Written by: Esteban Rodríguez Zamora
Edited by: Estefanie Ramirez Brenes.