By Wilson Rivera González, President of the Puerto Rico Agricultural Biotechnology Industry Association (PRABIA)
At a time when the future of agriculture is intertwined with the great challenges of today—climate change, food security, workforce migration—we must ask ourselves: What role can Puerto Rico play in this transformation?
One of the most promising answers lies in agricultural biotechnology. This sector has shown that it is possible to align scientific knowledge with economic growth and social well-being. According to a recent study commissioned by PRABIA, in 2023 the industry generated over $284 million in economic activity, contributed $9.3 million in taxes, and sustained more than 2,900 jobs—with an average annual salary of $62,894, triple the average income in Puerto Rico’s southern region.
But the impact goes far beyond numbers. In a historically vulnerable area, this industry has created real opportunities for progress: partnerships with universities, scholarship programs, agricultural fairs, and educational camps. Investments in talent, knowledge, and community.
At PRABIA, we see these figures not as a finished goal, but as a foundation for building further. We believe Puerto Rico can lead agricultural innovation in the Caribbean and the Americas. To make this vision a reality, we need public policies that prioritize research, reliable infrastructure, and the development of specialized human capital.
In this mission, PRABIA is not an end in itself—it is a bridge, connecting industry, academia, government, and communities. A facilitator of dialogue, growth, and shared vision. Because while agricultural biotechnology transforms seeds, it also transforms futures. And in Puerto Rico, that future is already taking root.