AGROSAVIA strengthens the management of genetic resources for food and agriculture in Colombia

Bogotá, Capital District. May 8, 2026. The fifth session of the National Technical Board on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (MRGAA) reaffirmed the strategic role of AGROSAVIA in generating scientific knowledge, fostering institutional coordination, and providing technical management of genetic resources for food and agriculture in Colombia, which are considered essential for productive sustainability, food security, and sovereignty, and the adaptation of the agricultural sector to environmental and climate-related challenges.

The fifth meeting served as a platform for interinstitutional coordination to strengthen the conservation, characterization, sustainable use, and comprehensive management of the country's genetic resources, promoting collaboration among national government entities, academia, research centers, social organizations, private institutions, and communities linked to the agricultural sector.

In this edition, the Board advanced the definition of the MRGAA's governance structure and its subcommittees by resource type, through the development of guidelines, roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms designed to strengthen its operations, technical capacity, and national outreach.

AGROSAVIA's participation in this process reflects its scientific and technical leadership in the management of genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as its ability to promote cooperation frameworks focused on evidence-based decision-making, strengthening national capacities, and consolidating sustainable strategies for the protection of agricultural biodiversity.

"We have achieved coordination among different institutions from academia, communities, research centers, and, of course, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development," highlighted Clara Rua, Master Researcher at AGROSAVIA.

During the session, progress also continued on the work plans collectively developed in previous meetings, prioritizing strategic actions and work pathways to strengthen scientific and technical capacities related to the conservation, evaluation, sustainable use, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources.

Through these types of initiatives, AGROSAVIA continues to consolidate its position as a key actor in the country's agricultural research sector and in the responsible management of genetic resources for food and agriculture, promoting a scientific agenda that contributes to the resilience of food systems, the competitiveness of the sector, and the protection of Colombia's biological heritage.