PlantwisePlus Blog

Costa Rica is recognized worldwide for its green credentials; a reputation built on a commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. Agriculture, as one of the nation’s most important economic sectors, plays a role in supporting this focus. To ensure that farming aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), government agencies, international organizations, and private companies are collaborating to promote environmentally responsible farming practices.  

Plant clinics are a valuable example of how PlantwisePlus is working with partners to improve sustainable farming practices in Costa Rica. Plant clinics are community-based services that provide farmers with practical, science-based advice. Farmers bring samples of diseased or infested crops to the clinic, and trained extension workers share diagnostic and management advice.    

Research shows that plant clinics improve women’s access to extension services. They play a crucial role in helping women and men farmers address plant health problems, increase productivity, and reduce food insecurity.  In Costa Rica, PlantwisePlus and partners are currently running five plant clinics, directly reaching just over 8,200 farmers.   

CREQUI plant clinic  

The CREQUI plant clinic in San Ramon, launched by CABI PlantwisePlus in partnership with STIHL, is a valuable example of the private sector’s promotion of sustainable agriculture. Initially, the clinic provided technical advice to coffee growers in collaboration with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).  

Since 2022, the clinic has expanded its focus beyond coffee to include a range of local crops. The clinic is also partnered with the University of Costa Rica (UCR) San Ramón Campus, MAG, RACKAM, a private company specializing in agricultural input, and the Centro Agrícola de San Ramón to drive this growth. Together, these alliances enable the CREQUI plant clinic to deliver sustainable solutions to a broader range of producers across the region.  

The CREQUI plant clinic has had a meaningful impact on local agriculture by providing farmers with accessible, science-based plant health advice. As part of the CABI PlantwisePlus programme, the clinic operates a demand-driven model where farmers bring samples of plants and then receive diagnoses and management recommendations from trained plant doctors.  

The CREQUI Plant Clinic has strengthened local agricultural resilience, improved pest and disease management, and contributed to more sustainable farming practices in the San Ramón region.  

Supporting farmers through training  

In San Ramón, farmers are increasingly eager to embrace more sustainable practices. At a recent farmers’ fair, 30 producers — 20 men and 10 women — participated in an outreach day to explore new ways to enhance their sustainable production methods.  

The event featured experts from RACKAM and Paraíso Verde. Both these companies specialize in bio-inputs. They shared practical knowledge on topics such as biological nematode control, biopesticides, biofertilization, biostimulation, and bioactivation.  

This hands-on approach not only gave farmers new tools to manage their crops sustainably but also fostered collaboration between local producers and private-sector companies. Events like this show that the shift toward sustainable production is both feasible and already underway.  

Looking ahead  

The road to sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica is gaining momentum, and 2025 is already proving to be a pivotal year. The CREQUI plant clinic, backed by CABI PlantwisePlus and local partners, is expanding its training and outreach further to farmers producing vegetables, grains, and fruits.  

Through farm visits, workshops, courses, and plant health campaigns, the initiative is promoting the adoption of environmentally responsible methods. As such, farmers are improving plant health and productivity while protecting the environment. A study conducted in San Ramón and other regions of Costa Rica found that 9 out of 10 farmers interviewed had followed all the advice given by plant doctors, while the remaining farmers had used some. The high adoption of advice highlights the clinic’s effectiveness in delivering practical, actionable guidance to farmers.  

With the support of key institutions such as MAG and UCR, these efforts are contributing to Costa Rica’s climate-smart, sustainable agricultural sector. The growing demand for training reflects a clear demand from farmers. They want access to innovative tools and knowledge to help them meet increasing challenges.  

Costa Rica has long been a global leader in environmental stewardship. Thanks to initiatives like the CREQUI plant clinic, its farmers are proving that sustainable agriculture is not only possible, but also the future. 

Further reading

How plant clinics are strengthening crop health services in Bangladesh

PlantwisePlus gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Directorate-General for International Cooperation, Netherlands (DGIS); European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships (INTPA); UK International Development from the UK government; and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).