Affiliation(s)
1. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Juiz de Fora, 36.015-300, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2. National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Manfredi 5988, Córdoba, Argentina
3. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), São Carlos, 13560-970, São Paulo, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Agro-food and agro-industrial systems in Latin America must anticipate
future trends and ensure permanent adjustment of research priorities to the evolving
global needs. Innovations should follow the logic of productive chains, which
are highly dependent upon knowledge and technology. Agribusiness sector needs
to reinvent itself for efficiently providing new products based on stricter
quality controls, traceability, and greater diversification. In the region,
alfalfa has an enormous potential to be cultivated for multiple purposes other
than just animal products, going from pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry to
human consumption. No single organization or isolated group of scientists hold
alone the capacity to deal with increasingly complex and dynamic production
systems in order to efficiently compete in a globalized market. These
challenges require an interdisciplinary approach, not only to a domestic level
but also to an international one. The present paper proposed the constitution of
a virtual alfalfa network platform for articulating and guiding alfalfa
research efforts in Latin America. The network will focus on identifying the
most important needs for Latin America, promoting an active interaction among
educational and scientific institutions through collaborative research
projects. The platform comprises four main research axes: (1) efficient
production (agronomy); (2) animal production (diversified feeds); (3) quality
and innocuousness applied (human feeding); (4) novel products (pharmaceutical
and cosmetics). During the initial phase, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA, Brazil) and National
Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA, Argentina) will
jointly coordinate the network.
KEYWORDS
Alfalfa, research priorities, Latin America, technological innovation, international
cooperation.
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