IICA promotes environmental education in the classroom with its handover of the first Urban Productive Garden in Costa Rica 

IICA’s Community Outreach Association is equipping students of the “República de Paraguay” school in Costa Rica to learn about sustainable agriculture and environmental care

San Jose, Costa Rica, 3 July 2025 (IICA) – The Community Outreach Association  (APC) of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) performed a symbolic handover of the first Urban Productive Garden to the “República de Paraguay” school in Costa Rica, as an educational and environmental initiative to nurture awareness, sustainability and the commitment of the community.

As part of the ceremony, IICA Director General, Manuel Otero, and the President of the APC, Amanda Fernández, presented the school with a wheelbarrow and other essential tools for establishing the garden—including shovels, pickaxes, a rake, watering cans, gloves and fertilizer—along with the Agroecological Gardening Manual – a practical guide that will facilitate learning and the adoption of agricultural and ecological practices within the school environment. 

The highlight of the event was the presentation of a certificate of commitment. In receiving it, the “República de Paraguay” school assumes the responsibility of maintaining and sustaining the garden as a concrete action to promote environmental education and the overall development of its educational community.

During the presentation, Amanda Fernández noted that, “Learning to tend to the garden will not only connect the young people to nature and allow them to access fresh food but will also place them in closer contact with agriculture in a practical and meaningful way. This is an ideal way to foster teamwork, shared responsibility and solidarity in a fun environment.”

The event enjoyed the distinguished presence of authorities from the diplomatic corps, including the Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay in Costa Rica, Julio Duarte van Humbeck, accompanied by his wife, Emely Duarte-Heidmam, and the Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of San Jose, Fernando Vega, along with other municipal authorities, who echoed the school community’s enthusiasm for the initiative. 

With this handover exercise, IICA has taken yet another step in transforming education by fostering agroecological practices and enhancing environmental awareness in the classroom.

About IICA
IICA is the specialized agency for agriculture in the Inter-American system, with a mission to encourage, promote and support its 34 Member States in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being through international technical cooperation of excellence.

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