San Juan, Puerto Rico – Future agronomists still in the training process recently benefited from a series of educational talks given by executives from the Puerto Rico Agricultural Biotechnology Industry Association (PRABIA) and academics. The conversations touched on various current issues that will strengthen the preparation of the students, including the importance and impact of the agricultural biotechnology industry, as well as a look at the irrigation systems of Puerto Rico.
The initiative, which was held within the framework of job fairs at the Mayagüez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico and at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, is part of the collaborative agreements established between PRABIA and each campus. It is the first time that PRABIA offers talks to guide the students who participated in the fair.
The talks offered by Ramón Molinary, president of PRABIA and Sol Rosado, vice president of the Association, detailed the benefits of the agricultural biotechnology industry, its economic impact in Puerto Rico, and how PRABIA companies help the agricultural sector locally and internationally. They also discussed new industry trends and technological innovations created to meet the high demand for food that is coming in the next century.
In her presentation, Rosado highlighted that “agricultural biotechnology assumes a very important role in addressing issues such as food security and famine, among others. It is up to each one of you, the future agronomists and scientists, to promote research and innovation in this field”.
For his part, Dr. Luis Pérez Alegría, UPRM professor of water, soil and waste management, discussed irrigation systems in Puerto Rico. Specifically, he shared with the students the progress that is being made in the development and implementation of irrigation canals in the agriculture sector, which is of vital importance for the industry.
“With these talks, we reiterate our commitment to education and the training of professionals who contribute to this dynamic and vital field for both the country and the world. Each discussion was a unique opportunity that allowed us to share valuable knowledge with students, especially those interested in exploring careers in the agricultural biotechnology industry,” said Ramón Molinary, president of PRABIA.
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About PRABIA
Founded in 1995, the Puerto Rico Agricultural Biotechnology Industry Association, for its acronym in English, PRABIA, is a non-profit organization that brings together agricultural biotechnology companies that operate in Puerto Rico – AgReliant Genetics, Bayer, Dow AgroSciences, Syngenta , Illinois Crop Improvement, Monsanto del Caribe and DuPont Pioneer. The Association aims to strengthen the Agricultural Biotechnology ecosystem on the Island in light of the challenges of global food production. The operations of the companies that are part of PRABIA promote economic development by generating an economic activity of over $125 million and creating over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, promoting education, supporting communities, providing support to the academic community and establishing targeted programs to future scientists and agronomists.
For more information about PRABIA, visit www.prabia.org or the official Facebook page at http://bit.ly/2dva988