Tropical gar, Atractosteus tropicus. (Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
COSTA RICAMonday, January 26, 2015, 00:20 (GMT + 9)
The National Banana Corporation (Corbana) and the National University of Costa Rica (UNA) decided to expand their collaboration agreement for more 10 years to develop scientific research related to Costa Rican aquaculture industry.
This alliance allows the UNA to use 28 Millas experimental farm, belonging to Corbana in Matina place, Limon province, to develop research mainly aimed at species such as tilapia, tropical gar, freshwater prawn, tambaqui and guapote fish.
UNA vice-chancellor, Sandra Leon Coto, stressed, "The alliance of the academic area with the state and with producers strengthens the model of the National University, associated with its social commitment."
For its part, the general manager of Corbana, Jorge Sauma, emphasized that this agreement is part of an effort by the banana industry to support agricultural diversification and to promote the development of communities of different places in the country, Interamericana de Comunicación reported.
"These projects promote rural development and entrepreneurs in the province of Limon, something in which Corbana has placed great interest," Sauma said.
"For small farmers living near the banana projects, aquaculture can become an option to earn more income, allowing a better quality of life," he added.