FORAGRO,

FORAGRO, established in 1997, is a hemispheric, open and inclusive forum connecting the main actors in agricultural research, development and innovation across the Americas. It brings together national agricultural research institutes, academia, producer and private-sector organizations, civil society, extension services, regional cooperation mechanisms and international organizations. Its role combines an internal function—promoting dialogue, coordination, investment and a shared regional R&I agenda—with an external function, connecting the Americas with global research and innovation processes through GFAiR, CGIAR and other regional and international partners.

FORAGRO’s reconceptualization is structured around three strategic axes: (1) developing a strategic and foresight roadmap for science, technology and innovation (STI) in agrifood systems; (2) creating a platform for horizontal cooperation, including AGROFOOD-TROP and AI-supported knowledge management through OPSAa; and (3) strengthening engagement with international STI spaces. The third axis positions FORAGRO as a regional voice, global foresight radar and strategic interpreter of international opportunities, enabling the Americas to formulate common priorities, anticipate emerging trends, connect regional capabilities with global initiatives, and present more coordinated regional positions internationally.

Transcript

1. FORAGRO Reconceptualization Forum of the Americas for Agricultural Research and Technological Development
2. Forum of the Americas for Agricultural Research and Technological Development It was established in 1997 as a hemispheric mechanism for debate and for mobilizing agreements on research and innovation issues affecting the agrifood sector of the Americas. It is open and inclusive: producer organizations, civil society, research, extension and cooperation organizations, and all public, private and academic organizations in agricultural research, development and innovation (RDI) systems may register as members of its Assembly.
3. Creation • Founded in 1997: Created by the Inter-American Board of Agriculture • Role of IICA: Technical Secretariat The IABA repeatedly highlighted FORAGRO’s role, contributions and potential for cooperation, urging countries and IICA to strengthen their participation in FORAGRO, including at its recent 22nd Meeting in 2023. FORAGRO sought to secure this space and become the IABA’s arm for R&D&I issues, which is important for the Forum’s legitimacy and political strength.
4. Nature of the Forum – “what it is” and “what it has done” The Forum has focused on strengthening two fronts: • Internally – promote a space for dialogue; facilitate exchange and coordination among public and private actors in the regional system; advocate for greater investment; and build a shared vision and hemispheric agenda. • Externally – develop external connections, substantially deepening relations with relevant regional and global institutions, in coordination with GFAiR, Regional Fora and CGIAR. Subregional, Regional and Global Cooperation
5. Netwo rks Networ ks INIAs IBEROAMERICA National Innovation Systems
6. Who makes up FORAGRO? • • • • • • • • • Regional mechanisms for cooperation in R&D&I Academia Actors in production systems Civil society organizations Organizations supporting R&D&I Extension systems and rural services Discussion fora related to R&D&I Intergovernmental organizations IICA
7. FORAGRO - Foro Hemisférico que ha participado activamente con representatividad y legitimidad en los Foros Globales - GFAiR y CGIAR Foros Regionales Cooperación inter-Regional (S-S y S-S-N)
8. FORAGRO Areas of Work AXIS 1 AXIS 2 AXIS 3 Strategic and Foresight Roadmap for STI in Agrifood Systems Platform for Horizontal Cooperation Strategy for Engagement with International STI Fora
9. EJE 1: Hoja de ruta estratégica y prospectiva en CTI 1 Definition of the globalof Definition Scope context and the role of the “Mission” in productive or social transformati on. 2 3 Baseline Vision and Targets Development of: 1. Impact maps (problem areas) 2. Innovation map 3. Policy map Establishment of: 1. Shared vision 2. Main and intermediate objectives 3. Targets 4. Agreed roadmap time horizon 4 Innovation Pathways Definition of: 1. Key innovations for the mission 2. Portfolio of research and innovation projects 3. Mission-enabling systems 4. Risks to mission development *The entire methodological process will be supported by the FORAGRO Technical Advisory Group, comprising the executive secretariats of FONTAGRO, PROCISUR, PROCINORTE, Red INNOVAGRO, the CAC ITI Technical Group and 5 6 Support Instruments Governance of Key Innovations Definition of: Definition of: 1. Portfolio of missionoriented policies 2. Action plan for implementing the longterm policy roadmap, with objectives, targets and plans, including the sequencing of instruments to be led by public and private actors over the short, medium and long term. 1. Governance structure for the roadmap (e.g., committee, commission) 2. Metrics established to monitor and evaluate roadmap implementation (indicators) 3. Budgets and actions dedicated by key stakeholders to supporting the roadmap
10. Eje 1: Hoja de ruta estratégica y prospectiva en CTi Taller presencial en el marco del Segundo Diálogo Regional sobre Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para los sistemas agroalimentarios Identificación de componentes temáticos prioritarios a partir de los insumos del taller Análisis de evidencia secundaria con uso de herramientas de inteligencia artificial Identificación de 121 problemas, agrupador en cinco categorías temáticas Workshop with FORAGRO members on the narrative of the Challenge and the Mission objective
11. Eje 1: Hoja de ruta estratégica y prospectiva en CTi 5 main categories of problems Limitada capacidad de la agricultura para adaptarse a las transformaciones del contexto Baja productividad y eficiencia en los sistemas agroalimentarios Ampliación de la brecha digital rural que dificulta el uso de tecnologías agrícolas avanzadas y la toma de decisiones informadas Escasa integración de la bioeconomía y bajo aprovechamiento de la biodiversidad y la biomasa en los sistemas agroalimentarios Debilidad en la articulación institucional y normativa para promover la innovación sostenible y la bioeconomía en los sistemas agroalimentarios de las Américas
12. Eje 1: Hoja de ruta estratégica y prospectiva en CTi Baseline Scientific monitoring and policy analysis. 59.565 artículos científicos Bibliometrics 559 instruments supporting science, technology and innovation in 23 countries of the region. Text mining Impact map, 10 innovation pathways
13. AXIS 2: Platform for Horizontal 3 2 Cooperation 1 Strategic assessment of needs and capacities Technical and functional design of the OPSAa platform Operation of the AGROFOOD-TROP Platform IICA-CATIE-Alliance Bioversity&CIAT, EMBRAPA-CARDI o Mapping and prioritization of the region’s common needs in agrifood STI. o Identification and characterization of existing initiatives, networks and capacities. Science, Technology and Innovation area available in OPSAa. Contains policies, resources and strategies for the governance and management of science, technology and innovation in agrifood systems. Platform implementation, including: pipeline of research projects, Tropical Agriculture Conference, resource mobilization – Bioenterprise Center, policy brief, and strengthening of the Agrofood-Trop Secretariat
14. Axis 2: Horizontal Cooperation Platform Intelligent Information Manager – OPSAa Workshops with NARIs An artificial intelligence-based strategy to accelerate the retrieval, organization and and Centers Asynchrono comparison of relevant information for STI decision-making. Powered by artificial of us Research exercises Internal OPSAa External manager intelligence (AI). Excellence: to co-create manager definition of criteria and • Comparison of public policies • Information extraction criteria • Information processing identifyand In support of National Agricultural Innovation Institutes (NARIs) and other • Generation of technology fact prioritizatio information regional actors. sheets nsources, of topics Compare and analyze only the information Automatic download of documents from uploaded, ensuring that results are reliable maximizing repositories, websites and reliable sources. and current. opportuniti Optimizes time and resources, increasing VIRTUAL LAUNCH OF THE • OPSAa Bot institutional efficiency and agility in PLATFORM es from the information management. 28 OCTOBER new frontier of STI
15. Axis 2: Horizontal Cooperation Platform Agrofood-Trop Initiative CATIE-IICA-EMBRAPA-CARDI-Alianza Bioversity CIAT RESEA KNOW RCH PUB LEDGE ROA AGEND RESOU LIC MANA A DM Tropical RCE POL GEME Agriculture AP Platform MOBIL ICIE NT IZATIO S • Tro N pica Pipeline of development and research projects Proposal to strengthen NARIs Proposal for a new Extension model QUESTIONNAIRES 80 Participants Private sector (pineapple growers, livestock producers, coffee growers, horticulture, bananas) Academia Public sector Banks and funds / development banking 230 Social media views Tropical Agriculture section in OPSAa, Powered by AI l Agri cult ure Inventory of highimpact tropical innovations
16. AXIS 3: Strategy for Engagement 1 3 2 with International STI Fora FORAGRO as a foresight radar for global STI trends Foresight report analyzing emerging agrifood trends and their impact on LAC, translating them into regional strategic priorities with recommendations for decision-makers and ecosystem actors. FORAGRO as a strategic mapper and interpreter of international STI fora Matrix and strategic profiles of key international agrifood STI fora, including analysis of opportunities, relevant actors and regional representation. FORAGRO as builder and spokesperson for a proactive regional agenda and narrative Strategic support to FORAGRO spokespersons to position regional issues on global agendas through a unified narrative and coordinated proposals.
17. Eje 3: Estrategia para la vinculación con espacios internacionales de CTi Regional Working Group on Technology Foresight Promote the exchange of knowledge, experiences and tools on emerging technologies and strategic trends, thereby facilitating a shared vision of the future of science and technology for agricultural development in the Americas. 18 FORAGRO members Allbiotech, CATIE, CIMMYT, DICTA, Embrapa, FIA, FHIA, FONTAGRO, IDIAF, ILSI Mesoamerica, INIA Chile, INIAP, MAFSE, NMSU, PDRR, RELASER, UNAG, YPARD. 9 Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Count Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Dominican ries Republic.
18. Eje 3: Estrategia para la vinculación con espacios internacionales de CTi 1 170 participants in the FORAGRO Foresight Group webinars Productivity and efficiency in agrifood systems 3 Adaptation of agrifood systems to transformations in the context 2 Bioeconomy and the use of biodiversity and biomass in agrifood systems
19. Eje 3: Estrategia para la vinculación con espacios internacionales de CTi The FORAGRO Foresight Group webinars have included the participation of 8 Latin American diaspora experts from recognized institutions
20. Eje 3: Estrategia para la vinculación con espacios internacionales de CTi Asistencia de los miembros del Grupo de Trabajo Regional en Prospectiva Tecnológica
21. Eje 3: Estrategia para la vinculación con espacios internacionales de CTi Diagnóstico de la Cultura de Impacto y Visibilizar Casos de Éxito en I+D Agropecuaria en el hemisferio Opening: 23 June 2025 Cierre: 4 de agosto de 2025 46 cases received 23 countrie s
22. In Summary • Recognized positioning at regional and global levels • Capacity for reflection and renewed proposals. • Progressive institutional development, balancing internal and external mandates, with clear achievements that capitalize on economies of scale and scope. • Adds value to national and subregional efforts • FORAGRO “…is an organization that has built important strategic assets that should be continued.” (External Evaluation, 2015).