The British Embassy has forged a strategic alliance with the Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School of Honduras to facilitate the exchange of agricultural expertise and experiences in the region.
In partnership with Zamorano, the Guatemalan Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (ICTA), the International Potato Centre (CIP), and the Current and Emerging Threats to Crops Innovation Lab in Honduras (CETC-IL) led by Pennsylvania State University and financed by Feed the Future – USAID, the UK aims to address the management of potato late blight through farmer field schools and research initiatives.
The UK government says that collaborative efforts between the UK, local institutions, and international partners underscore a shared commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and sustainability.
New workshops aim to enhance the capacity of technicians and producers in potato late blight management, understand potato production dynamics in Guatemala, and coordinate the establishment of experimental plots to test innovative solutions.
According to the British Government, the prioritisation of agricultural best practices, particularly in the realm of Agri-Tech, underscores the need to produce nutritious food sustainably while mitigating environmental impacts.
“We know that late blight in potato is a challenge not only in the UK but globally. Applying practices that enable its control will be vital for crops. We are confident that innovative technologies and practices are a bridge for farmers to achieve better results in less time and to optimise resources.” said The British ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras, Nick Whittingham