CATIE reinforces its contributions in the fight against land degradation and its effects on the most vulnerable populations in the Latin American and Caribbean region

• On June 17, the world commemorated the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

19 June 2023. CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) celebrates the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, reinforcing the actions it has promoted for 50 years, through research, teaching and knowledge transfer to thousands of producers in various topics such as forest restoration, sustainable livestock, agro-forestry systems, mitigation and adaptation to climate change and the promotion of a green and inclusive economy that recognizes the need to promote sustainable agribusiness.

This year, CATIE focuses its actions in the Central American Dry Corridor through projects that promote the transformation of conventional production systems to more sustainable processes that include the promotion of best practices in production chains such as livestock, basic grains, coffee and cocoa, as well as the restoration of degraded areas through various models of forest ecosystem restoration, that promote the recognition of nature-based solutions and the inclusion of youth and women, traditionally vulnerable populations living in this region, promoting sustainable enterprises that strengthen value chains and generate income to help improve people's livelihoods.

"The commemoration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought should be an urgent call for commitment to land degradation neutrality and challenge the countries of the region to better manages their land, resources and markets," commented Leida Mercado, director of Research for Inclusive Green Development at CATIE.

As part of this commitment, it should be noted that CATIE is also working with the Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought to establish actions to support the countries of the region in the implementation of their national action plans, which will be developed in the coming months.