The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Red Latinoamericana de Servicios de Extensión Rural (RELASER), with support of FAO, organized on 8 February 2022 the webinar "Capacities to innovate in agricultural innovation systems in Latin America: Advances 2021-22”. The objective of the webinar was to discuss good practices and experiences related to innovation in agri-food systems in the Latin America region. The event was very well attended (over 140 participants) and counted on the presence of 12 panelists from the fields of agricultural and rural development.

The event particularly focused on the approach of the Tropical Agriculture Platform and key aspects of its Common Framework, which is being integrated in Latin America through various activities. This work is done in the context of the EU-funded TAP-AIS project, implemented by FAO Research and Extension Unit, Office of Innovation.

Fernando Barrera, from RELASER, opened and facilitated the meeting with the contribution of IICA colleague Viviana Palmieri. Selvaraju Ramasamy, Head of FAO’s Research and Extension Unit, introduced the approach of the Tropical Agriculture Platform and key aspects of the Common Framework, including looking forward aspects included in the TAP Action Plan for the period 2022-2025. Among other things, he highlighted advocacy activities and tools such as the TAPipedia knowledge sharing hub.

The FAO Agricultural Officer Delgermaa Chuluunbaatar talked about the TAP-AIS project and the integration of the TAP Framework in ‪Latin America. In particular, she mentioned some current activities to promote agricultural innovation: a Joint Rapid Appraisal done with RELASER and IICA, a Common Action Plan, a Trainer of Trainers and the development, led by IICA, of a practical guide. The latter was illustrated in more detail by the author of the guide. Priscila Henriquez, who is specialist in agricultural innovation. The guide, developed by IICA with collaboration of FAO, will be very important for practitioners and project program implementers to strengthen individual and organizational capacity to innovate in broader agricultural innovation system concept.

RELASER members Lorena Romero, Project Director at Agraria Ltda, and Fernando Manzo-Ramos, of the Mexican Colegio de Postgraduados (COLPOS), presented the results of the 5-week Training of Trainers (ToT) focused on the strengthening of capacities for agricultural innovation systems in Latin America, organized by IICA, RELASER and FAO. The course, with its flexible structure adaptable to different contexts, trained experts of several institutions from various countries in the region (Colombia, Chile, Honduras, Ecuador, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Perú).

The recording of the event is available at the IICA Chile page: https://www.facebook.com/IICAChile/videos/300516048738374/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing