After years of mutual cooperation, banana producers have signed an institutional cooperation framework agreement with the aim of structuring the conditions of inter-institutional cooperation, joining forces and technical, administrative, and economic resources for the consolidation of a technical and scientific alliance. This formalization of relations will allow the training of the banana sector, strengthening different research lines, and sponsoring the Magdalena Talent Program students belonging to the municipality of the Banana Area.
The signing of this agreement by ASBAMA and the University of Magdalena (UNIMAGDALENA) will contribute to the productive scaling of bananas and the sustainability of this agricultural industry in this region of Colombia. "The purpose is to advance joint and articulated actions for training programs that will benefit the sector, develop scientific research according to the needs and characteristics of the crop and the region, and generate innovation and entrepreneurship processes in the productive sector," they stated in a newsletter.
The agreement was signed in a formal ceremony at the Bahía Centro Building, which was chaired by Dr. Pablo Vera Salazar, the Dean of UniMagdalena, and by Jose Francisco Zuñiga Cotes, the Executive President of ASBAMA, which were accompanied by members of the Board of Directors of the Association.
Training, research, and the Magdalena Talent Program will be the central axes of the strategic alliance. "It will also give support to the organization of academic and scientific events to present research and scientific advances, as well as programs and projects that promote the execution of technical assistance, technology transfer, extension and corporate social responsibility that promote rural employment, generational change, the adequate management of the natural resources, the improvement of the sector's productive capacity, and the well-being of the communities," according to the statement.
An alliance to improve the banana sector and ensure its future
According to Dr. Pablo Vera Salazar, "the idea is to work hand in hand with the association in different areas, such as training and education in technical programs, technological undergraduate professional, postgraduate, and continuing education. We also plan to work on research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and generate more opportunities for the students in the area through the Magdalena Talent Program."
"The signing of this strategic alliance with the University is very important because this agreement will allow us to provide better training opportunities to the people of the banana sector, which in turn will contribute to the improvement of the sector's productivity and competitiveness," said Jose Francisco Zuñiga Cotes, the Executive President of ASBAMA.
The General Manager of CI Tecbaco SA and President of the Board of Directors of ASBAMA, Yerges Rodriguez Peñaranda, stated that "the presence of the UniMagdalena in this type of process strengthens its positive impact, specifically the administrative and organizational work of the companies, as well as the work of the agronomists, environmental engineers, and other professionals in the area."