The agreement was signed Tuesday by Costa Rica's Agronomical Tropical Research and Teaching Center and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, the ministry said.

The agreement is designed to facilitate exchange programs for researchers, increase scholarships for agriculture students and enhance exchange of information on agricultural science and technology.

The two institutions will also cooperate in animal and plant genetics, pest and disease control, environmental preservation, biotechnology, agricultural economy and rural development, according to the agreement. (Xinhua)