CITAGRO launches research center to transform Chile's agro-food system

CITAGRO, the Center for Research for Agro-food Transformation, has officially launched in Chile. The inaugural event brought together over 200 stakeholders, including academics, researchers, agricultural unions, small farmers, public institutions, and food startups from the Santiago, O’Higgins, and Maule regions.

The center aims to function as a National Center of Interest, focusing on the development of ‘Living Labs.’ These spaces are designed to allow science, public policy, and local actors to collaborate on addressing environmental, social, economic, and climate crises within the agro-food system.

CITAGRO director Ariel Orellana stated that the center will adopt a systemic and transdisciplinary approach over the next decade. The goal is to provide scientific evidence for public policy while integrating local knowledge from various territories into the research process.