Officials from the Mayor's office of Tunja explore, at the Tibaitatá Research Center, agricultural technological developments to boost small producers

Mosquera, Cundinamarca. February 22, 2024. In an effort to strengthen the agricultural sector of Tunja, Gustavo López, Secretary of Economic Development and Public Services, Melissa Camargo, Livestock Professional from the Mayor's office, accompanied by Saúl Fernando Torres, Agronomist, and Alejandro Pérez, Professional from the Mayor's office of Tunja, visited the Tibaitatá Research Center of AGROSAVIA, with the purpose of learning first-hand about the technological offers developed for two key productive systems of the municipality: potato production and high-tropical livestock farming.

The route included visits to various laboratories and specialized modules. In the plant production laboratory and the aeroponics module, visitors could learn in detail the process of obtaining high-quality potato seeds. Subsequently, the animal reproduction laboratory was visited to understand the technologies applied in genetic breeding and animal welfare. Finally, the silvopastoral systems module was visited, highlighting the importance of this practice for sustainability and productivity in livestock farming.

Carlos Herrera, Regional Innovation Coordinator of the Tibaitatá Research Center, highlighted the main demands addressed during the meeting. Among them, developing a training plan adapted to the needs of rural producers in Tunja stands out, with a post-harvest and added-value marketing approach. The possibility of establishing alliances for tree production in AGROSAVIA's nurseries and the implementation of pilot silvopastoral systems and integrated pest management programs were also discussed.

For Melissa Camargo, the commitments raised during the visit include the consolidation of strategic alliances in science, technology, and innovation, with a particular focus on the needs of small- and medium-sized agricultural producers in Tunja.

This visit represents an important step towards strengthening the agricultural sector in Tunja, intending to promote the adoption of advanced technologies and the coordination between the Mayor's office and AGROSAVIA to promote productivity, sustainability, and rural development in Tunja and Boyacá.