Nataima is an indigenous word from the Tolima culture that means "a space of land in a warm climate belonging to an indigenous ruler". The Center conducts research and technology transfer in the areas of biophysical resources (soil and water), transitional crops (cotton and maize), fruit trees (mango, passion flower fruits, sour lime, guava and soursop), cocoa and sweet sorghum for livestock, as well as agroindustrial processes with mango, cocoa and maize. The Center’s germplasm banks include 85 mango materials of which 47 are native materials, 119 oil palm accessions, 100 sweetsop accessions, and 27 materials of both edible canna and soursop.

The Center classifies regenerates and multiplies tropical germplasm and advances ecophysiology processes in search of elite materials. Additionally, research is conducted to improve the availability and quality of food for large and small ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats), deploying silvopastoral technologies that help control gastrointestinal parasites, through phytotherapy and biological control to preserve the sheep stock’s genetic resources. Studies are also being carried out in Nataima on the functional characteristics of plants in the region that can be used as nutritional alternatives for ruminants.

Research and technology transfer activities with transitional crops at the Nataima Research and Technology Transfer Center focus on cotton, rice and maize; in the agroindustry, the Center generates differentiated and value-added products, taking advantage of the physical, chemical, functional and quality properties of the materials. Currently, quality and functionality parameters are being determined for cocoa, avocado processing and mango byproduct evaluation. Similarly, training is being promoted in the agroindustrial processing plant and Nataima is resuming its role as AGROSAVIA’s seed-producing center, with the expectation of meeting much of the requirements of small and medium producers in the country.

The strength of the Nataima Research and Technology Transfer Center lies in its strategic location as leader in agricultural research in the departments of Tolima, Huila, Caquetá and Putumayo, with proximity to two major cities in Tolima­–Ibagué and Espinal.

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Director

• Adriana Lucia Ballesteros (E)

• (601) 914 4677
• aballesteros@agrosavia.co

Agroindustrial Engineer and M.Sc. in Agri-Food Sciences from Universidad del Tolima, and Ph.D. in Technology and Innovation Management from the Pontificia Universidad Bolivariana. She has extensive experience building strategic partnerships, designing technology transfer programs and strategies, strengthening institutional capacities, and formulating and implementing research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) projects. She has also contributed to developing public policy instruments, including the Departmental Agricultural Extension Plans (PDEA), the Comprehensive Territorial Agricultural Development Plans (PIDARET), the Regional Competitiveness Plans, and the Integrated Competitiveness, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agenda, among others. At the Research and Technology Transfer Center, she has managed and supported the establishment of interinstitutional strategic partnerships for the development of R&D&I projects, as well as the formulation of projects using the Logical Framework Approach and in compliance with the requirements of Colombia's General Royalties System. She has also contributed to developing the National R&D&I Agenda for the Agricultural Sector, available through Siembra, and the Strategic Science, Technology and Innovation Plan for the Colombian Agricultural Sector (PECTIA) 2017–2027.

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