La Selva celebrates 70 Years of sowing the seeds of science, knowledge, and innovation for Colombia's agricultural sector

• With representatives of public institutions, partners, neighbors, and staff in attendance, the Research and Technology Transfer Center commemorated its first seven decades of service to the agricultural sector.
• In addition to reflecting on its historical trajectory and recognizing its contributions to the country's agricultural development, AGROSAVIA reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to transform Colombia's agricultural sector sustainably through the power of knowledge, improving the lives of producers and consumers in collaboration with its partners across the country.
• Since its establishment in 1956, La Selva has generated knowledge and developed solutions to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of production systems, contribute to the well-being of rural communities, and address the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

 

Rionegro, Antioquia, October 20, 2026. Accompanied by representatives of departmental institutions and organizations, stakeholders from the national agricultural sector, strategic partners, neighbors, and staff, the La Selva Research and Technology Transfer Center (CIT La Selva) commemorated its first 70 years of service to the agricultural sector at its facilities.

The celebration provided an opportunity to reflect on the Center's history and recognize its contributions to the country's agricultural development through research and technology transfer. It also reaffirmed AGROSAVIA's commitment to continuing to address the current and future challenges facing Colombia's agricultural sector by working in coordination with its strategic partners to pool capabilities, expand the reach of solutions, and generate a greater impact on producers and the territories where they operate.

For Miguel Serrano López, Executive Director of AGROSAVIA, "This celebration represents a very special moment: we are commemorating 70 years of uninterrupted work, collaboration, and partnership building. We had an extraordinary day, joined by the Governor of Antioquia, the Director General of ICA, the Director General of CORNARE, and numerous partners. It was an opportunity to share the Center's history and achievements and, above all, to highlight its capabilities and future potential as the La Selva Research and Technology Transfer Center."

As part of the commemoration, approximately 18 institutions and strategic partners presented awards and recognitions to AGROSAVIA, honoring the Center's history and its contributions over seven decades to research, innovation, technology transfer, and the development of Colombia's agricultural sector.

As part of the event, the research and technology transfer team organized an exhibition where attendees could learn about and exchange information on initiatives developed at La Selva in the areas of rural agroindustry; plant germplasm banks; agroclimatology and climate change; green onion production; the conservation and use of fique and natural fibers; the National Seed Plan; the Capsicum project; natural product chemistry; laboratories and scientific capabilities; ecosystem services associated with the Regional District for Integrated Management (DRMI); the production of Tamarixia radiata for the biological control of the insect vector of Huanglongbing (HLB); and the Avocado Experience Showcase and the production of high-quality planting material, among other initiatives.

The celebration also featured the exhibition "Drawing Diversity: Art, Science, and Plant Genetic Resources," installed in CIT La Selva's auditorium. The exhibition sought to bring agricultural biodiversity, the conservation of plant genetic resources, and the impact of agricultural research on everyday life closer to the public by integrating art, science, and public engagement and knowledge appropriation.

For Juan Mauricio Rojas, Director of CIT La Selva – Coffee-Growing Region Headquarters, "This gathering allowed us to share La Selva's history with our partners and recognize that this legacy remains alive. Celebrating 70 years does not mean bringing a story to a close, but rather opening a new chapter that we want to continue building together: those of us who are part of AGROSAVIA and the public and private partners who have placed their trust in our work and contributed to what La Selva represents today for the region."

The Evolution of La Selva: From DIA and ICA to Corpoica, Now AGROSAVIA

Since Caja Agraria acquired the property in 1956, La Selva has become one of Colombia's leading centers for agricultural science, technology, and innovation. Throughout its history, the Center has upheld a scientific legacy committed to sustainable development and the transformation of Colombia's agricultural sector, passing through several institutional stages: DIA from 1956 to 1963; the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) from 1963 to 1993; and Corpoica, now AGROSAVIA, from 1994 to the present.

From its beginnings as a Substation and Experimental Station to its current role as a Research and Technology Transfer Center, La Selva has evolved in response to the changing needs of Colombia's agricultural sector, contributing science, knowledge, and innovation to address its challenges.

Today, as it celebrates 70 years of history, La Selva renews its commitment to generating, transferring, and fostering the appropriation of solutions that contribute to the sustainable transformation of agriculture and improve the quality of life of producers and consumers.

Over these seven decades, its work has helped develop more competitive, sustainable, and resilient production systems, while benefiting producers, students, technical advisors, agricultural extension workers, researchers, and rural communities across the country.

With its sights set on the future, La Selva continues to sow the seeds of science, knowledge, and innovation for Colombia's agricultural sector, strengthening its capabilities, its presence across the country, and its collaborative work with the partners who have been part of this history and who will be essential in shaping the future.