ICAFE and CATIE sign agreement to strengthen coffee research and conservation in Costa Rica

• The alliance will establish a core germplasm collection and develop new varieties to address sector challenges

The CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) and the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE) have formalized a collaboration agreement aimed at strengthening research on coffee’s genetic diversity and generating new solutions for the country’s coffee producers.

The agreement includes the creation of a core collection of 300 accessions at ICAFE’s farm in Barva de Heredia, located at 1,100 meters above sea level. This genetic bank will facilitate joint studies between both institutions, with the objective of identifying new genetic attributes, responding to climate change challenges, and enhancing the competitiveness of the coffee sector.

“One of the key contributions of this alliance is the possibility of generating new coffee varieties using biotechnological tools, aiming to offer alternatives that are more resistant to climate changes and diseases. Additionally, this working collection will serve as a partial backup of the collection currently maintained by CATIE in Turrialba, ensuring the long-term conservation of coffee’s genetic diversity,” explained William Solano, Curator of CATIE’s International Coffee Collection.

The agreement, which has an initial projection of 20 years with the possibility of extension, includes concrete actions from its first stage, such as:

• Propagation of selected accessions through vegetative methods to ensure genetic quality.
• Land preparation and plant establishment.
• Agronomic maintenance, including mineral nutrition and disease control over the years.

Through this collaboration, both institutions expect to generate coffee varieties with better agronomic traits, greater resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, and improved organoleptic qualities that meet the demands of an evolving market. “This initiative will help the Costa Rican coffee sector remain competitive and sustainable over time,” detailed Solano.

The protocol signing ceremony of the agreement was attended by representatives of both institutions, including Gustavo Jiménez, executive director of ICAFE; Martín Hidalgo, technical manager of ICAFE; and Andrés Piedra, promotion and outreach manager of ICAFE. On behalf of CATIE, attendees included Dr. Luis Pocasangre, director general; Rolando Cerda, leader of the Agroforestry and Genetic Improvement Unit for Coffee and Cocoa; and Solano.

The authorities agreed on the importance of this alliance for the future of coffee in Costa Rica and the key role it will play in agricultural innovation.

"This alliance represents a significant step forward in conserving and developing varieties that can respond to the sector’s challenges. Strengthening research and ensuring genetic diversity is key to the future of Costa Rican coffee," stated Dr. Pocasangre.

Likewise, as ICAFE’s executive director, Jiménez stated that the agreement is an investment in the future of Costa Rican coffee producers. “Strengthening research and the conservation of genetic diversity will allow us to develop more resistant and productive varieties, ensuring that our coffee-growing families can face climate and market challenges with better tools. At ICAFE, we are always open to working together with institutions like CATIE because we believe that collaboration is fundamental to promoting the development and sustainability of the national coffee industry," he affirmed.

This agreement represents a commitment by CATIE and ICAFE to science, sustainability, and the development of the coffee sector, ensuring that Costa Rica remains a global benchmark for high-quality coffee production.