USDA News Release: Veneman To Co-Host Ministerial Conference in Central America (04/26/04)

Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology To Increase Agricultural Productivity

Costa Rica

May 10-11, 2004

Conference Objectives and Program Summary

Conference objectives include:

• Improve food security through the application of science and technology to bolster

• agricultural productivity in an environmentally sustainable way,

• Strengthen knowledge of policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks that facilitate

• technology transfer and indigenous research and development,

• Promote understanding of a broad range of conventional and state-of-the-art technologies,

• including biotechnology, that can boost productivity and international competitiveness, and

• that are appropriate for the region,

• Explore ways to forge public-private partnerships to improve technology transfer, market infrastructure, and agribusiness linkages, and

• Promote a regional system of cooperation for research and development in agricultural science and technology.

Program Summary

There will be an Opening and Closing Plenary and three Joint Sessions, each followed by two concurrent Breakout Sessions related to the themes of the Joint Sessions.

Plans call for the Opening Plenary to be addressed by His Excellency Abel Pacheco de La Espriella, President of Costa Rica, to be followed by remarks from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman.

Monday, May 10

OPENING PLENARY

JOINT SESSION 1: The Role of Science and Technology in Economic Growth in the Rural Sector

Breakout Session 1A: Raising Agricultural Productivity in Central America Through the Adoption of Conventional and Emerging Technologies.
Conventional and Emerging Technologies and Their Application to Central America
Increasing Competitiveness Through Information and Management Technologies
Technologies To Conserve Natural Resources and Mitigate Environmental Impacts
Breakout Session 1B: Utilizing Biotechnology in Central America to Increase Agricultural Productivity
The Potential for Biotechnology in Central America
Policy Frameworks To Foster Biotechnology
Distribution of the Benefits of Biotechnology

JOINT SESSION 2: Policies and Institutions To Increase Access to Science and Technology

Breakout Session 2A: Policies and Institutions To Promote Technology Development
Private Sector Perspectives
The Role of International Organizations
The Role of National Institutions
Breakout Session 2B: Mechanisms To Improve Technology Dissemination
Public Sector Models for Extension and Technical Assistance
New Private Sector Initiatives for Technology Transfer
Participatory Research: A New Approach to Innovation

Tuesday, May 11

JOINT SESSION 3: Toward an Integrated Regional Innovation System

Breakout Session 3A: Regional Priorities for Agricultural R&D in Central America
New Directions for R&D in the Region
Producer Perspectives
A Model for R&D Integration
Breakout Session 3B: New Developments in S&T Funding: Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives
Improving Access to S&T Funding
Multilateral Support to S&T
Foundations as a Source of S&T Funding
 

CLOSING PLENARY

Wednesday, May 12
Conference participants will have the option of attending one of two different field trips that will visit both agricultural and ecological sites around San Jose.