Colombian researcher wins CAF Prize for Technological Research

The executive president of the Andean Development Corporation, Enrique García, today announced that the Colombian technologist Alex Bustillo was the winner of the second CAF Prize for Technological Research, which this multilateral institution awards every two years as a stimulus to research in relevant areas of competitiveness in the Andean countries.

García said the international jury was unanimous in its recognition of Bustillo’s work "for its contribution to agricultural technology and the socioeconomic impact of his research on the development of the coffee sector." The prize forms part of the Corporation's objective of creating a development agenda adapted to the Andean countries. The aim is to introduce a competitive advantage model that generates value added in productive processes, based on knowledge, technology, specialization and innovation, the CAF president added.

The award recognizes the Colombian technologist's extensive activity in systematic research into biological pest control in coffee cultivation and low-cost agronomic practices for growers. The members of the jury were Floribeth Víquez and José Luis Araya (Costa Rica), Jorge Ancheyta and Gustavo Ayala (Mexico), and Ramón Fuentes (Chile).

In their statement, the judges said that the results of Bustillo’s research have been presented at national and international forums and have led to programs for the integrated pest management of several crops, which have lowered production costs and rationalized the use of agrochemicals to prevent contamination and damage to the ecosystem.

Bustillo receives a diploma and US$25,000 to be presented in Bogotá on CAF’s 32nd anniversary.

The CAF Prize for Technological Research was created for the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Corporation in 2000. Entry is open to researchers and technologists from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela who work in public or private institutions in their respective countries.

The entrants were selected by national juries and then by a regional jury. The juries are selected on the basis of the highest criteria of excellence and impartiality, according to international practice. In the second edition of the prize, 108 candidates participated from the five countries of the Andean area.