In early February, the Italian Trade Agency in Mexico City organized a seminar in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, focusing on economics, processing and agricultural technology.

Researchers from CREA, Italy, the Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of Agricultural Economics, and theUniversity of Milan presented the latest developments in crop management, economic and business models, and the latest machinery and innovations.

Among the audience were high-level representatives from the Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture, the Center for Advanced Technology, the Technological Center of Costa Rica, the National Chamber of the Cocoa Industry, and local producers of cocoa, pineapple, and tomatoes who represent and the majority of export-oriented agricultural crops in the country.

The seminar program enabled interactions between industry and academia from the two countries.

The ultrasonic treatment for tomato processing designed by researchers from the University of Milan was particularly appreciated by Costa Rican producers. For this reason, a cooperation agreement was also signed between the National University of Costa Rica and Italian counterparts for the cultivation of a particular type of mushroom.

For more information about the initiative, contact mexico [at] ice.it (subject: Machines Italy E-newsletter)