Argentina

CIRAD has had ongoing exchanges with some of the major scientific organizations in Argentina for more than twenty years, resulting in many cooperation missions, participation in joint research projects and trainee exchanges in the fields of botany, plant breeding, agronomy and agrifood

An agricultural exporter with global clout

As one of the world’s leading producers of soybeans, beef and cereals, Argentina is an agricultural giant with substantial potential. Like its large neighbour, Brazil, agriculture is one of the driving forces of its economy. The country possesses an agricultural area five times that of France, with 37 million hectares under crops and 130 million hectares given over to grazing. Soybean, maize, wheat and barley crops occupy 92% of the cultivated lands. Argentina is also a major producer and exporter of fruit, such as lemons, apples and pears.

Main areas of scientific cooperation

Sociology and innovation, public action, and science and technology;
Public policies fostering family farming;
Agroecological transition: innovations and public policies;
Crop pests and acridology.

Some of CIRAD’s work in the country

Argentine, province de Buenos Aires. © Léna Le Calvé, Cirad

The AGRITERRIS initiative
CIRAD was present in Argentina particularly through its participation in the AGRITERRIS initiative (Agricultural Activities, Territories and local Agrifood Systems – LIA/2RI) led by INRAE. This international laboratory brought together several institutions from Argentina (INTA, UNMDP, UNS, UNLP), Brazil (UFPA) and France (INRAE, UTJJ, Montpellier SupAgro, IRD and CIRAD) and aimed to develop joint research on transforming agriculture, rural areas, development professions and the public policies that concern them. As part of this research, and involvement in several other ANR projects, a CIRAD researcher (Innovation Joint Research Unit) was posted to INTA for three years.

Find out more: AGRITERRIS

The LABINTEX-Europe laboratory of the Argentinian National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) is located in Montpellier at Agropolis International.

Its location greatly facilitates its exchanges with CIRAD, INRAE and other French and European scientific organizations.

Sustainable development in the Gran Chaco territory

The Gran Chaco territory is a transboundary, semi-arid natural region shared by Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. A regional cooperation project initiative intended to develop Sustainable Development Scenarios (SDS) may lead CIRAD to develop its research activities there in close cooperation with INTA and the universities and development operators in that region. This initiative should see the light of day in 2023.

Cooperation and partnerships

Main partners

National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA);
National University of Southern Patagonia (UNPA);
University of Buenos Aires (UBA);
National University of Salta (UNSA);
National University of La Plata (UNLP);
Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS);
National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP);
National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET).