Moving towards smart agriculture that allows mitigating and adapting to climate variability
With the aim of reducing the vulnerability of agricultural production to climate threats and the inappropriate use of resources (water, fertilizers, energy), Cenicaña is actively working on the project “Climate-smart initiatives for climate change adaptation and sustainability in agricultural production systems in Colombia” (CSICAP, for its acronym in English). The project brings together eight priority production chains in the country: rice, sugar cane, sugar cane, coffee, livestock, corn, bananas, and potatoes.
Dr. Jeimar Tapasco, senior scientist at the CIAT Bioversity Alliance and leader of CSICAP, visited Cenicaña facilities on October 9, 2024 to observe first-hand the progress made by the Center in the implementation of digital agriculture technologies and climate services, genetic improvement and low-carbon agricultural development, and knowledge management and innovation.
What is the CSICAP project about?
The CSICAP's main objective is to reduce the vulnerability of agricultural production to climate threats in order to minimize their impact on the sector's competitiveness and ensure sufficient and stable availability of quality food by strengthening climate risk management, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural production in the eight prioritized chains.
The project aims to improve the adaptive capacity of these production chains, promote the efficient use of climate information and ensure the stability of agricultural production in the country. In addition, it is intended that the practices implemented are not only profitable, but also contribute to environmental sustainability and the well-being of producing families.
Jaime H. Caicedo (right), IT Manager, Cenicaña, presents Gotas' automated rain gauges to Jeimar Tapasco (left), principal scientist of the CIAT Bioversity Alliance and leader of CSICAP.
Freddy Garcés (right), CEO of Cenicaña, presents the process for in vitro multiplication of resilient varieties to Jeimar Tapasco (left).
Jeimar Tapasco's visit to Cenicaña
During his visit, Dr. Tapasco has closely observed the achievements made in Cenicaña within the framework of the CSICAP project. Among the main advances presented are:
- Installation and commissioning of three new weather stations (BDU, PRJ and PDC) that join the Automated Meteorological Network (RMA) to generate detailed and freely accessible information on the main atmospheric variables of temperature, humidity, radiation, rainfall and wind. Three additional stations are being prepared to be added to the network. The data recorded by the meteorological network can be freely consulted from: https://www.cenicana.org/apps/meteoportal/public/diarios
- Expansion of the GOTAS automated rain gauge network: With this network, farmers can access detailed information on rainfall through the GOTAS mobile application, available for devices Android y iOS. 30 new GOTAS stations will be added within the framework of the CSICAP project.
- Progress in the development and implementation of the sugarlogger: device for monitoring climatic and agronomic variables through sensors, including: soil matric potential, water table, temperature, pH, EC, N, P, K. This tool allows producers to adjust their irrigation and fertilization practices, optimizing the use of resources.
- Progress in the detection of pests and diseases with artificial intelligenceIn this direction, Cenicaña has made progress in structuring an image bank in which pests (spittlebugs) and diseases are classified, as well as other characteristics such as damage caused by spittlebugs, damage caused by herbicides, genetic disorders, rust reactions, among others.
- Restoration of riparian corridors:To date, more than 25 hectares have been restored in the municipalities of Palmira and El Cerrito (Valle del Cauca), with the planting of plant species that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of water sources. Birds are a key factor in the choice of species to be planted in the areas to be restored.
- Identification of resilient varieties: In collaboration with sugar mills and growers, a network of experiments has been established in contrasting environments with promising varieties with potential for efficient use of nitrogen and tolerance to excess or deficit of water. To date, six of the 15 planned experiments have been planted.
- Capacity building: Cenicaña has worked on training producers and technicians on sustainable practices in sugarcane cultivation through strategic technology transfer programs.
- Acquisition of kit for beneficiary families from the CSICAP project with water purification systems, solar panels and wastewater.
Impact on the sugar cane agroindustry
The implementation of digital technologies and the development of new varieties contribute to:
- Reducing the vulnerability of the productive system to the threats of a changing climate.
- Increase productivity through agroclimatic risk management, the adoption of digital agriculture and the use of new, more resilient varieties.
- Strengthening the technology transfer system, integrating climate information services and digital agriculture to improve decision-making.
Colombia's sustainable agro-food sector
As the project progresses, it is expected to benefit more farmers and strengthen the country's ability to adapt to climate challenges.
Dr. Tapasco's visit to Cenicaña highlights the importance of cooperation between actors in the agricultural sector to jointly confront the threats of climate variability and build a more sustainable agricultural future.
More about the project: https://agroalimentariasostenible.co/