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TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program Implements Field Days for Knowledge Exchange on Good Livestock Practices

The TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program facilitated knowledge exchange among producers participating in NAMA Livestock to promote the adoption of good practices in the sector as part of the Field Days organized in various farms across Costa Rica.

Each Field Day takes place at a model farm, where participants see firsthand the impact of good practices that have already been implemented. The sessions are supported by technical experts from the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), and other institutions, providing comprehensive information.

During each visit, the event is structured into thematic stations based on the model farm’s experiences and livestock best practices. Some highlighted good practices include Rational grazing, conserving and increasing tree cover in livestock areas and forest zones, feeding cattle with forage banks and silage, integrated manure and slurry management, soil and pasture management, efficient water use, among others.

So far, 14 Field Days have been conducted in model farms located in the Brunca, Central West, Central East, Central South, Huetar Caribbean, Huetar North, and Central Pacific regions. In total, 317 producers have participated, including 80 women and 237 men. 

The participation of young livestock farmers has been essential for generational integration and fostering innovation in the sector. Leda Ramos, from the MAG Agricultural Extension Agency in the Central Pacific Region, highlighted the interest of young people in implementing sustainable livestock practices: "Our sector does not need a replacement but rather an integration of different generations so that young people can take on these new challenges."

Cristóbal Villanueva, researcher and coordinator of the NAMA Livestock technical team at CATIE, emphasized:
"The horizontal exchange of knowledge between livestock producers and technicians in these Field Days is a key tool for scaling up NAMA technologies in livestock farming and innovating them. Technical support also strengthens and reinforces their importance. This knowledge exchange is fundamental to the sustainability of livestock activity."

Producers' Perspectives

Esmeralda Bermúdez, a livestock farmer from Guácimo, Limón, found pasture management and the use of live fences particularly interesting: "This initiative is great for those of us who want to learn more and develop a modernized concept of the livestock sector, to define our goals and achieve them in balance with the environment."

Isabel Moya, owner of Las Tías regenerative farm in Zarcero, expressed enthusiasm about the knowledge gained from the Field Days: "The farms we visited have provided us with knowledge and experience to improve our sustainable practices and become more competitive in the market. These Field Days are a valuable opportunity, and I encourage other farms to participate."

Upcoming Field Days in 2025

Field visits will continue throughout 2025 to further these exchanges among producers, advancing the implementation of low-carbon, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient livestock production practices. Interested livestock producers are invited to visit their local MAG Agricultural Extension Agency for more information.

About the TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program

The TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program is coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministries for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

The program is implemented by German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in collaboration with the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), Conservation International (CI), Costa Rica - United States Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA), Fundación Banco Ambiental (FUNBAM) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).