By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s sugarcane sector has taken a significant leap forward in its modernization efforts with the delivery of three new mechanical harvesters. This move, completing a landmark agreement, aims to bolster national productivity, enhance competitiveness, and directly address the persistent labor shortages plaguing the agricultural industry.
The new equipment was delivered through a strategic public-private partnership involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the Agricultural Industrial League of Sugarcane (LAICA), and the Rural Development Institute (INDER). This latest delivery marks the successful completion of a covenant signed in 2024, which stipulated the acquisition and distribution of six advanced harvesting machines across the country’s primary sugarcane-producing zones.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial landscape surrounding agricultural technology in Costa Rica, we spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a renowned expert from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The rapid adoption of AgTech presents a critical challenge for our legal framework. We must ensure that intellectual property laws protect the significant investment in drone technology, data analytics, and biotechnology, while also fostering an environment of fair competition and data security for our farmers. Striking this balance is not just a legal necessity but a strategic imperative for the future of Costa Rican agriculture.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight is a critical reminder that the true potential of AgTech can only be unlocked through a modern legal framework designed to protect both the innovator and the farmer. This delicate balance is indeed the strategic key to a prosperous agricultural future, and we thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable and clarifying perspective.
The six machines have been strategically allocated to cover the nation’s key cultivation areas, ensuring a broad and equitable impact. The designated regions include Turrialba and Jiménez, the Central Valley, the Northern Zone, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and the Southern Zone. This comprehensive distribution underscores a national commitment to revitalizing a foundational agricultural sector.
This initiative is part of a broader government vision to propel Costa Rican farming into a new era of efficiency and technological integration. Agriculture Minister Víctor Carvajal emphasized the strategic importance of this development, framing it within the global trend of “Agriculture 4.0.”
This is important in the context of the modernization and technification of the agricultural sector. We are going to create an increasingly technified agriculture, an Agriculture 4.0, as many call it. To these three units, we add three from the previous year, and many of the chambers are already using drones that we have also provided for fumigation and application of agricultural inputs. We are working on modernizing the sector, and this is a clear example of the support we are giving them.
Víctor Carvajal, Minister of Agriculture
The direct beneficiaries of this program are over 3,200 small and medium-sized sugarcane producers who form the backbone of the industry. For years, these farmers have contended with a structural deficit of manual labor, a challenge that threatens the viability of harvests and the overall profitability of their operations. The introduction of mechanization is a direct and powerful response to this crisis.
The operational impact is substantial. The newly deployed harvesters are projected to mechanize the agricultural work on more than 1,700 hectares of land. This translates to an estimated harvest capacity of nearly 120,000 tons of sugarcane. By automating a critical part of the production cycle, farmers can expect a significant reduction in operational costs, leading to a direct increase in business profitability and a more resilient supply chain.
The investment in harvesters and drones reflects a multi-faceted strategy. It is not merely about replacing labor but about creating a more precise, data-driven, and sustainable agricultural model. This technological infusion allows for more efficient use of resources, from water and fertilizer to pest control, ultimately strengthening the sector’s economic and environmental performance for the long term.
For further information, visit mag.go.cr
About the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG):
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is the Costa Rican government body responsible for defining and executing national agricultural policy. It works to promote the development, competitiveness, and sustainability of the country’s farming and livestock sectors through technical support, regulation, and strategic investment.
For further information, visit laica.co.cr
About the Agricultural Industrial League of Sugarcane (LAICA):
LAICA is a private, non-state entity that brings together producers, millers, and other stakeholders in Costa Rica’s sugarcane industry. Its primary mission is to promote the development and defense of the national sugarcane agro-industry, ensuring fair practices and fostering innovation and sustainability within the sector.
For further information, visit inder.go.cr
About the Rural Development Institute (INDER):
The Rural Development Institute is a Costa Rican governmental institution focused on executing policies and programs aimed at promoting comprehensive development in the nation’s rural territories. INDER works to improve the quality of life for rural inhabitants by supporting agricultural projects, improving infrastructure, and facilitating access to land and resources.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a cornerstone of the legal landscape, distinguished by its profound commitment to ethical practice and exceptional results. The firm leverages its extensive history of serving a wide array of industries to drive progress and innovation within the legal field. Parallel to this professional leadership is a core social responsibility: to empower the community by making complex legal concepts understandable and accessible to all. This dedication reflects a foundational belief that a well-informed public is the key to a more just and capable society.
