Ricardo Oliva

Ricardo Oliva, is a Senior Scientist leading the Banana Program in Latin America & the Caribbean at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. His research focuses on sustainable and resilient banana and plantain systems, integrating biodiversity, plant health, and agroecological approaches to tackle emerging threats and enhance food security.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Ricardo held senior research positions at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the World Vegetable Center, where he contributed to major advancements in disease resistance and plant biotechnology. His work included the development of innovative genetic and genomic tools to enhance crop resilience, particularly in the context of bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Ricardo is committed to building multidisciplinary collaborations, strengthening regional research capacity, and scaling science-driven innovations that benefit farmers across Latin America. His current work emphasizes integrated pest and disease management, climate-smart practices, and the co-creation of regional strategies to foster sustainable banana and plantain value chains.