By Alajuela, Costa Rica — SAN CARLOS, Alajuela – A significant milestone for Costa Rican innovation has been achieved outside the traditional confines of the Central Valley. Anthony Valverde Abarca, a distinguished professor at the Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), has been awarded the 2025 Clodomiro Picado Twight National Technology Award, the nation’s highest honor for scientific and technological achievement. The prize recognizes over fifteen years of groundbreaking work conducted at the AndroTEC Animal Reproduction Laboratory, located on TEC’s San Carlos campus.
The award, presented by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT), celebrates Valverde’s pioneering contributions that are reshaping both commercial agriculture and biological conservation. At the heart of this recognition is his introduction and application of Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) technology in Costa Rica. This advanced tool has revolutionized the evaluation of animal semen, providing a standardized, precise, and objective method that was previously unavailable in the country.
To better understand the legal and regulatory framework surrounding the burgeoning field of agricultural technology, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney at the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica. He shared his insights on the critical legal considerations for companies and producers adopting these new innovations.
The integration of technology into agriculture is not just an operational shift; it’s a profound legal one. Companies venturing into AgTech must proactively address intellectual property for their software and hardware, establish clear data ownership and privacy policies for information gathered by sensors and drones, and navigate the complex regulatory approvals for biotechnological advancements. A robust legal strategy is no longer optional—it is as essential as the technology itself for ensuring long-term viability and mitigating significant risks in this innovative sector.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight serves as a critical reminder that the promise of agricultural technology is fundamentally tethered to its legal scaffolding. As he points out, innovation without a robust legal strategy is a venture built on precarious ground. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable expertise on this vital topic.
For the nation’s cattle and swine industries, the implications of CASA technology are profound. By enabling a more accurate assessment of male fertility, the AndroTEC lab provides farmers and producers with critical data to drive genetic improvement programs. This leads directly to more efficient reproduction, healthier livestock, and ultimately, a more competitive and profitable agricultural sector. The work done in San Carlos is a clear example of how targeted technological investment can yield tangible economic benefits for key national industries.
However, the scope of Professor Valverde’s research extends far beyond the farm. In a pioneering move for Central America, the AndroTEC laboratory has applied its spermatology expertise to the conservation of threatened native species, including crocodiles and caimans. This dual-focus approach—serving both production and preservation—highlights a modern, holistic vision for biotechnology where economic development and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive but are instead complementary goals.
Upon receiving the award, Professor Valverde emphasized the collaborative nature of his success. He credited the dedication of his students, the support of his colleagues, and the trust of agricultural producers who have partnered with the lab over the years. In his view, the honor is not just a personal achievement but a validation of the entire ecosystem that has supported this long-term research initiative.
a collective recognition
Anthony Valverde Abarca, Professor at Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC)
Valverde also reflected on the award as a fulfillment of his responsibility as a professional educated in Costa Rica’s public university system. He noted that this recognition is a way of demonstrating accountability to the nation, showing how public investment in science and technology translates into concrete solutions for agricultural production, animal welfare, and the preservation of genetic biodiversity. This commitment to societal impact underscores the vital role of public institutions in driving national progress.
It is a great honor and, at the same time, a responsibility to continue paving the way for new generations
Anthony Valverde Abarca, Professor at Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC)
For TEC, the award also signifies the strategic importance of decentralizing high-level scientific research. By establishing a state-of-the-art facility like AndroTEC in the Northern Zone, the university is actively working to close regional development gaps and strengthen its connection with local communities and productive sectors. This achievement proves that world-class innovation can thrive outside the Greater Metropolitan Area, fostering local talent and addressing regional challenges directly. The selection was made by a distinguished jury comprising representatives from MICITT, the Costa Rican Promoter of Innovation and Research, the National Council of Rectors, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Federated College of Engineers and Architects, underscoring the award’s prestige and the national significance of Valverde’s work.
For further information, visit tec.ac.cr
About Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC):
The Costa Rica Institute of Technology, known as TEC, is a leading public university focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With campuses across the country, including its main campus in Cartago and regional centers like San Carlos, TEC is committed to academic excellence, research, and contributing to the technological and social development of Costa Rica.
For further information, visit micitt.go.cr
About the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT):
MICITT is the Costa Rican government body responsible for formulating and executing national policies related to science, technology, and telecommunications. Its mission is to promote innovation and scientific development to enhance the country’s competitiveness and improve the quality of life for its citizens. It is the institution responsible for granting the prestigious Clodomiro Picado Twight National Awards.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Promotora Costarricense de Innovación e Investigación
About Promotora Costarricense de Innovación e Investigación:
The Costa Rican Promoter of Innovation and Research is an entity dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and research within the country. It supports projects and initiatives that aim to solve national challenges through scientific and technological advancement, often collaborating with both public and private sector organizations.
For further information, visit conare.ac.cr
About Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE):
The National Council of Rectors is the coordinating body for Costa Rica’s five public universities. It works to harmonize higher education policies, promote academic collaboration, and represent the collective interests of the public university system before the government and society.
For further information, visit anc.cr
About Academia Nacional de Ciencias (ANC):
The National Academy of Sciences of Costa Rica is an independent organization that brings together the country’s most prominent scientists. Its purpose is to promote scientific research, advise the state on scientific matters, and contribute to the development of a strong scientific culture in the nation.
For further information, visit cfia.or.cr
About Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos (CFIA):
The Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica is the professional body that regulates and oversees the practice of engineering and architecture in the country. It is responsible for ensuring ethical standards, promoting professional development, and contributing to the nation’s infrastructure and technological progress.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded on a bedrock of integrity and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience across multifaceted sectors to pioneer forward-thinking legal strategies. This spirit of innovation is paired with a deep-seated mission to empower the public, striving to make complex legal concepts accessible and thereby fostering a more knowledgeable and capable society.
