Agrovisiones: Webinar series on innovation for agrifood transformation.
Background
Governments worldwide have set the ambitious goal of eradicating hunger by 2030. However, there is a question of whether this goal is sufficient to mobilize aspirational ideals that truly transform our agrifood systems. Agrovisiones is a webinar program organized by the FAO with the purpose of showcasing voices and awakening visions that expand and transcend the Zero Hunger development goal.
This virtual program aims to convene thought leaders and visionaries from the agrifood sector, who will share their experiences and ideas about the future of food and agriculture. Through these prominent voices, Agrovisiones seeks to explore bold and ambitious ideas that foster deep debate and critical reflection on how to build more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems.
Agrovisiones' focus is to open spaces to discuss not only immediate challenges related to food security but also to imagine and design innovative solutions that address the complex interconnections between food production, the environment, social equity, and resilience to future crises.
To this end, various actors from the science and innovation fields of the Latin America and Caribbean agrifood sector will be invited. Guests from institutions as diverse as the public sector, private sector, research, entrepreneurship, financing, and investment will contribute to visualizing and positioning key themes in the regional science and innovation ecosystem.
Ultimately, Agrovisiones aspires to be a catalyst for the transformation of global food systems, promoting a comprehensive vision that considers not only the elimination of hunger but also the construction of a future where food is sustainable, fair, and capable of withstanding future challenges.
These webinars will be held monthly starting from April of this year and will be conducted either in-person or virtually, broadcasted through FAO's official channels for Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Objective: Raise awareness and position relevant topics in Science, Technology, and Innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Primary target audience: Entrepreneurs, business leaders, public officials, and investors in agrifood systems.
- Secondary audience: Scientists and researchers, students, extension workers, producers, consumers, and communicators in agrifood systems.
- Moderator: Luz V. Oppliger, Scientific communicator and specialist in Science and Innovation for the Latin America and Caribbean office.
- Responsible person: Soroush Parsa, Agriculture Officer for the Latin America and Caribbean office.
Program
| Guess | Topic | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pablo Zamora | President of Fundación Chile -Banco Estado Advisor - Entrepreneur - Director - Advisor - Co-founder NotCo | April 22nd |
| Teresita DiMarco | Yield Lab LATAM | May 22nd |
| Laurens Klerkx | Professor at the University of Talca and Wageningen University | June 19th |
Chapter 1: Pablo Zamora - Co-Founder of NotCo y President of Fundación Chile
Entrepreneurial Journey and Public Service: Pablo Zamora
"We have an almost unhealthy need to collaborate with the northern world, and I believe we lack greater South-South collaboration. That is, collaboration among countries in the region is vital."
Pablo Zamora's vision, as the first interviewee in the Agrovisiones webinar series, involves knowledge mobility, state programs addressing transversal challenges, and effective regional collaborations.
In this conversation, Zamora shares an inspiring narrative about how entrepreneurship, innovation, and public service can positively transform Latin America. His experience at NotCo, as co-founder of this famous unicorn startup, highlights the importance of strategic vision and commitment to sustainable solutions in the food sector. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for supportive policies and public-private collaborations to drive economic and social growth in the region.
Pablo also addresses the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in Latin America, emphasizing the importance of science, technology, collaboration, and conscious consumption in the food sector. His vision of South-South collaboration and state modernization underscores the importance of mobilizing knowledge and resources to drive innovation and economic development.
The interviewee offers valuable advice for future entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of ethics, responsible innovation, and community commitment. His vision of a more sustainable and equitable food future reflects a comprehensive approach to the progress of Latin America.
Chapter 2 : Teresita Di Marco - Principal from the Yield Lab LATAM
Sustainable Innovation: A Conversation with Teresita DiMarco
"...this path involves seeking to articulate a bottom-up and top-down strategy in the ecosystem so that we truly move towards new forms of production."
The agrovision of Teresita DiMarco, the May interviewee, is based on strong collaboration and diverse alliances to promote innovation in the agro-industrial sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The interviewee, a doctor in international relations, explains what sustainability is and how the development of innovation ecosystems in the agro-food industry in the region is enhanced through Yield Lab. Using concrete examples from Mexico and Colombia, Dr. DiMarco illustrates how collaboration has been key to promoting innovation, highlighting the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, such as reaching small producers and connectivity, as well as the future opportunities already emerging in the fields of biotechnology and Fintech.
Chapter 3 - Laurens Klerkx - Professor at the University of Talca and Wageningen University
Contacto
Soroush Parsa
Officer of Science and Innovation.
FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Specialist of Science and Innovation.
FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean