From the Field Empowering Agri-Food Innovations: AgriLAC Resiliente and the Sustainable Future of Honduras

The Annual AgriLAC Resiliente Meeting - an initiative led by the Alliance and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) with support from other CGIAR centers including CIP and IFPRI - became a pivotal gathering for agricultural visionaries in Honduras. This event, held in Danlí, El Paraíso on August 9, 2024, not only served to share progress and analyze results, but also fostered collaboration and motivation to build a future of more sustainable and innovative agri-food systems.

One of the event’s pillars was the construction of a scaling strategy for practical innovations and sustainable technologies with key actors from the Eastern Honduras innovation networks. These stakeholders came together to define how to take these solutions to a larger scale, ensuring that the benefits reach more communities and farmers. 

Meanwhile, the InnovaHub photographic exhibit was an inspiring journey through the Honduran countryside. The images captured the essence of the landscape and highlighted the hard work of InnovaHub partners. Each photo told a story of dedication and progress, showcasing how agricultural innovation is transforming lives and landscapes in Honduras. 

Participants later divided into groups to address crucial topics according to their expertise, continuing to tackle key questions on agricultural research and innovation, agroclimatic services, gender and social inclusion, digital solutions, and public policy recommendations. 

Guided by facilitators Mariana Pérez, Irma Ayes, Mónica Chavarro, Daniel Núñez and Alberto Iturria, the groups identified current challenges and outlined concrete steps to overcome them. With the support of Rausel Ovando and Marlon Duron, and the systematization by Nuria Ochoa, Fernando Morales and Jesús Martínez, each discussion contributed valuable ideas for the future development of InnovaHubs. 

Partners and producers from InnovaHub presented their projects through an open poster exhibition. This dynamic allowed for a direct exchange of knowledge and experiences, further fostering stronger and more motivated collaboration networks.

Reflecting on their participation in AgriLAC, attendees mapped out who else should join the innovation network. This activity helped identify new strategic allies and strengthen existing relationships, ensuring that every idea and proposal was systematically captured for future action.

In the final phase of the InnovaHub meeting, groups discussed how to continue developing InnovaHub and how to drive its scaling strategy. Focused on research, agroclimatic services, social inclusion, digital solutions, and public policies, each discussion table charted a clear path forward. 

The Annual Meeting of the AgriLAC Resiliente Initiative was not only a space for analysis but also for inspiration and action. The results obtained and the strategies outlined reflect a shared commitment to a more innovative and sustainable agri-food sector in Honduras. 

The vision of a resilient and prosperous agri-food future is closer, thanks to the effort and collaboration of all participants. With a clear scaling strategy and a strengthened innovation network, AgriLAC is ready to lead the way towards sustainable agriculture that benefits all Hondurans.

The future of agriculture in Honduras is bright, and with the drive of innovation and collaboration every challenge becomes an opportunity for progress and transformation.