ITOCO INC. welcomed Jose Alves as Chief Agronomist. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, Mr. Alves holds a Degree in Biology and a Master's Degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. As an Agronomist Eng., Mr. Alves has a broad perspective of work experience in biotechnology, agri-food technical, former manager of an agricultural property of cactus pear and former COO and manager of a company related to the European Investment Funds.

He has also been heavily involved in the agricultural national association of cactus pear (APROFIP) in Portugal. He did his Master's Thesis on the Opuntia fiscus-indica cactus entitled Perspectives of use of Cactus Pear in Alentejo: Characterization of Opuntia sp. in the Alentejo Coast and Tapada da Ajuda (Lisbon) and study of the installation of an orchard.

Mr. Alves brings a wealth of experience in project design, overseeing scientific and technical operations, quality assurance, and management in various agri-businesses. He will lead the development of methodology and oversight in ITOCO's bid to become the first company to gain certification of nopal cactus for carbon credits. Mr. Alves will also be responsible for all peer review of manuscripts and documentation that will further establish ITOCO as a leader in mass scaling nopal cactus orchards for land regeneration, food security, biogas, and carbon credits.