From the Field Results of AgriLAC Resiliente Implementation in Guatemala: InnovaHub Meeting 2024
Through the InnovaHub Meetings - held in both Eastern and Western Guatemala - the Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to implementing scientific innovations, collaborative processes, climate-smart agriculture and projects for the empowerment of women and young people whilst influencing national policy to contribute to the development of the country's agri-food systems. The Alliance's goal, within the AgriLAC Resiliente initiative, is not only to increase crop productivity, but also to improve the livelihoods of farmers, closing the gap between agroclimatic knowledge and its application to contribute to food security for farmers and their families. Most importantly, the Alliance's work focuses on implementing more sustainable practices and increasing resilience to climate change - a growing challenge.
By Daniela Arce Gómez – AgriLAC Resiliente Communications Coordinator
Our efforts revolve around five key components that, brought together, lead to more productive, sustainable and climate-adaptive agriculture:
- Agronomic research: We promote scientific innovation in agricultural practices to optimize production and tackle climate challenges.
- Strengthening stakeholder networks: We connect key actors in the agricultural sector, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Digital agriculture: We use technology to improve decision-making in farming, integrating tools that enable precise monitoring and more efficient crop strategies.
- Gender and social inclusion: It is essential to promote gender equality and social inclusion for resilient food systems; we incorporate social inclusion into all our activities, ensuring that women, men, youth and vulnerable communities can all benefit from innovation.
- Public policy: We collaborate closely with policymakers to develop policies that support a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
During the event, we conducted a review and assessment of the impact of the AgriLAC Resiliente initiative: an initiative led by the Alliance and co-led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center – CIMMYT, the International Potato Center – CIP, and the International Food Policy Research Institute – IFPRI. This program has continued the progress made over the past 10 years through two key pillars of the Alliance's work: the Agroclimatic Technical Committees and the Climate-Smart Villages, across the region.
The Agroclimatic Technical Committees have been essential spaces for sharing agroclimatic information, enabling farmers to make better-informed decisions. On the other hand, the Climate-Adapted Sustainable Territories are areas of experimentation and learning where communities implement agricultural practices that allow them better adapt to climate change.
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The InnovaHub Meetings in Eastern and Western Guatemala not only reflect the ongoing commitment of various partners and allies in the region, but also the motivation to continue bridging ancestral and scientific knowledge. This approach aims to influence the decisions of producers and institutions responsible for policies, ensuring that Guatemala’s agricultural sector becomes increasingly productive, sustainable, and resilient to climate change.
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