The Fundación Hondurena de Investigación Agricola (FHIA) was established on May 15, 1984 by a group of representatives from both public as well as private institutions connected to the national agriculture sector. It was established as a means to strengthen the process by which technology could be generated, validated, and transferred to the Honduran agricultural sector. It was also intended to help diversify agricultural production for domestic as well as export markets.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and USAID played crucial roles in creating the Foundation. Their initiative was strongly supported by the United Brands Company, who donated its Division of Tropical Research facilities in La Lima, Cortés, to the Honduran government to be used as FHIA’s headquarters.

FHIA began operations on January 1st of 1985, using the existing offices and laboratories located within the facilities of the United Brands research division. The facilities included a 100 hectare experimental station located in nearby Guarumas which was dedicated to the genetic improvement of bananas and plantains. USAID approved a project to finance the Foundation’s operations from 1984-1994, while the Honduran government assigned a financial counterpart for the same period. USAID provided further funding for infrastructure development and improvements. Currently, the Foundation’s main installations continue to be in La Lima, Cortés, with regional offices in La Masica, Atlántida and Comayagua, Comayagua. Additionally, four experimental and demonstration stations operate in different agro-climatic regions of the country.

FHIA is a private, apolitical, non-profit organization. The overall governing body is the General Assembly which includes 87 members. The Board of Directors is composed of nine people elected by the Assembly. The President of the Board, and representing the Honduran government, is the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. The other board members are Foundation associates and representatives of Honduran private business sector.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

Mission

To generate, validate, and transfer technology for the national agriculture sector related to traditional and non-traditional crops for the local and foreign market.

Objectives

1. To perform research on traditional and non-traditional crops for local consumption and export, including production, processing, and marketing components at the national and international level.
2. To develop technical assistance projects for producers and to promote diversification with high value crops and modern technology emphasizing the application of best practices to optimize production and productivity while preserving resources and the environment.
3. To provide laboratory services as well as other services related to research and technology transfer.