About the CIA

The Agronomic Research Center (CIA) is a research unit of the University of Costa Rica, attached to the Institute of Agricultural Research of the Faculty of Agrifood Sciences. It was founded on 1 December 1955 as the Agronomic Research Laboratory, under an agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and Industry, the Inter-American Technical Service for Agricultural Cooperation (STICA) and the University, with the initial remit of studying crops such as coffee and cacao. It took its present name in 1972, and its work has since grown to five areas ranging from plant biotechnology and soil fertility to agricultural microbiology, natural resources and postharvest technology. The CIA combines basic and applied research with teaching, social action and technology transfer, and puts its laboratories at the service of the country’s agricultural sector through analysis and specialised advice.

Our purpose

We are a research centre of the University of Costa Rica that contributes to the sustainable development of agricultural production systems through basic and applied research, teaching, social action, external liaison and technology transfer.

Our aspiration is to be a leading centre in generating and sharing knowledge, produced to the highest standards, driving the sustainable development of agricultural production systems through innovative technologies and the sale of goods and services.

Research areas

Contact and location