The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through the International System for Agricultural Science and Technology (AGRIS), celebrates significant growth in agricultural data contributions from Central America in 2024. With over 124,000 records and 29 active data providers, the region showcases remarkable progress in advancing research and knowledge-sharing to bolster sustainable food systems.

• Guatemala expanded its records from 307 in 2023 to 703 in 2024, with contributions from two active data providers: the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrícolas. Key topics include hydrology, meteorology, crop yield, and agronomic characters.
• El Salvador increased its records from 2,326 to 2,638, supported by four institutions, including the Universidad Católica de El Salvador, Universidad Francisco Gavidia, Universidad Técnica Latinoamericana, and Universidad de El Salvador. Key themes include equipment, materials, hydrology, and biodiversity.
• Honduras increased its records from 7,244 to 12,141, supported by three active data providers.: Universidad Nacional de Agricultura and Escuela Agricola Panamericana, Zamorano. Contributions emphasize productivity, biological control, animal nutrition, and crop yield.
• Nicaragua expanded from 9,341 to 12,076 records and now boasts six active data providers, including Universidad Nacional Agraria, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, Managua, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, León, and Bluefields Indian & Caribbean University. Topics include technology transfer, variety trials, development projects, and crop yield.
• Costa Rica reached a total of 93,872 records in 2024, up from 66,623 in 2023, supported by ten active data providers, such as the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, and Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza. Focus areas include sustainability, rural development, and agriculture across Latin America.
• Panama increased its records from 2,814 to 3,045, with four data providers, including the Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá and Universidad de Panamá. Key topics emphasize bananas, variety trials, and crop yield.

This remarkable progress reflects a concerted effort to strengthen regional research and innovation. The collaboration between FAO’s Representation in Central America and the Subregional Office in Panama, and AGRIS has been instrumental in supporting institutions to organize and share valuable knowledge. 

This partnership not only facilitates broader access to agricultural data but also fosters a vibrant network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working together to address pressing challenges in food security, sustainability, and rural development.