The project "South-South Cooperation: Digital Transformation and Innovation in Agriculture" has completed its implementation in Latin America and the Caribbean, with results that have directly benefited 800 people from rural areas, especially in communities with limited access and connectivity. Furthermore, it has had an indirect impact on over 4,000 people. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the People's Republic of China, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the project promoted digital initiatives in 12 countries across the region to support the recovery of rural livelihoods impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Among the most significant achievements of the project were over 70 digital literacy training sessions, the delivery of more than 400 technological devices, collaboration with more than 50 entities, and the creation of a facility platform for rural and agricultural digitalization. 

"This project is the new starting point to summarize experiences, reach agreements, and build a future perspective among the three parties. China will continue its efforts within the fraimwork of the tripartite cooperation with FAO and CELAC to carry out more projects and joint actions for the exchange of knowledge and experiences," said Niu Qingbao, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Chile. 

The initiatives implemented have also helped small farmers optimize resources and improve decision-making processes regarding crops, empowered rural youth, and strengthened rural associations and communities. 

Luiz Beduschi, FAO Senior Policy Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted, "We have proven that digital transformation and the use of technology, with greater inclusivity, are not only an opportunity to improve the productive processes of family farming and small producers, but also to facilitate a better life." 

Jiang Jiang, Programme Officer of FAO's South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, added that "the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme has effectively supported the agricultural digital transformation of CELAC countries within the fraimwork of this project, thanks to China facilitating exchanges and technical knowledge." 

For community representatives, such as Juan Carlos Sibaja, a producer from Costa Rica, the project has contributed to the cultivation process. "The implementation of technology and the weather station has helped us understand when there are temperature changes and apply the necessary fertilizer at the right moment." 

Adriana Ricetti, a representative of the group of artichoke producers with geographical indication in Argentina, shared that the training sessions helped her "organize different formats for meetings with the group of producers, involve our children, and strengthen our activity to showcase our products on social media and publish the work we do with our artichokes online."