World Coffee Research Strengthens Partnerships and Advances Coffee Research during CATIE Visit
This week, the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) welcomed the global team of World Coffee Research (WCR). With 28 members from 17 different countries, the retreat focused on building trust, enhancing collaboration and improving research efficiency in the coffee sector.
As part of their visit, the WCR team toured CATIE's International Coffee Collection, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Located in Turrialba, Costa Rica, this unique collection holds over 2,000 accessions of Coffea arabica, making it the second most diverse in Latin America and the only one outside Africa to be recognized as a World Heritage site by FAO.
To commemorate this important milestone, CATIE will host a Scientific Congress on December 3rd-4th, featuring leading experts in coffee research and production. For more details, visit the official congress page: https://congresocafe.catie.ac.cr.
The visit brought together key figures in coffee breeding. Santos Barrera Lemus, a coffee breeder from Colombia, shared: "This is my fifth visit and it is always a pleasure. The gathering has been enriching, allowing us to connect with different teams. CATIE offers a spectacular landscape and remains a critical partner in many of our projects."
Robert Kawuki, a robusta coffee breeder from Uganda, emphasized the significance of the event for both personal and professional growth: "Identifying our top five strengths has been invaluable for our efficiency. I also had the chance to visit CATIE’s coffee trials and enjoy the serene environment."
In addition to the academic exchange, participants enjoyed excursions to the surrounding hills and volcanoes, engaging in insightful conversations with local guides. The week has been a memorable blend of learning, collaboration and immersion in nature for the World Coffee Research team.
This visit underscores CATIE's unwavering commitment to advancing coffee research and highlights its strategic role in global scientific collaborations.
Written by: Esteban Rodriguez Zamora.
Edited by: Estefanie Ramirez B.