Projects of the La Suiza Research Center at its Cúcuta Site focus on establishing parameters to strengthen the economic development of the department of Norte de Santander through technology transfer as one of AGROSAVIA’s pillars in its role as driving force, actor and supporter.

In 2016, AGROSAVIA developed, in the area of Ocaña, the project Models of Agroclimatic Adaptation and Prevention (MAPA, from its name in Spanish) which emerged in response to the prolonged and intense rainy season of 2010-2011. This project identifies behaviors on climate variability that allow farmers to make decisions based on tangible results which, in turn, provide guidance regarding the timing of planting, harvesting and post-harvest handling.

Likewise, in 2014, in the area of influence of the rivers Zulia and Pamplonita, the macro-project "Study of alternatives for the agricultural development of the irrigation district of the river Zulia with sustainable agricultural projection" was initiated. The Project has four base lines through which studies on soil, water, climatic variability and socioeconomics are carried out. This was done with the purpose of providing farmers, by mid-2017, with useful information to start applying technologies on offer, in order to benefit productivity and explore new productive systems in the region.

On the other hand, in the area of Catatumbo, AGROSAVIA has implemented the Seed Plan, an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development whose objective is the conservation of production initiatives such as cocoa in association with agroforestry systems, beans and maize. Through the organizations in the area, about 27,500 grafted cocoa seedlings have been delivered to date—including two new cocoa genotypes (TCS 01 and 06)—and 9,600 forest seedlings for the establishment of approximately 30 hectares of clonal gardens, which promote reforestation in the region and economically benefit the producers who own these gardens. Similarly, certified regional seed has been delivered for Puyita maize (6,000 kg), cowpeas (4,400 kg) and ICAV 109 maize (400 kg).

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Director

• Diego Alejandro Zárate Caicedo

• (+57) 60 1 9144677, Ext. 2711
• dzarate@agrosavia.co
• View profile

Biologist from the Industrial University of Santander, Colombia, M.Sc. in Natural Resources from the University of Los Andes, Colombia, and Ph.D. in Ecology and Sustainability from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In 2014 he became part of AGROSAVIA’s team with the program "It's time to come back.” His work­ as principal researcher—implementing the first royalty project (cocoa)­­—at La Suiza Research Center has been outstanding.