The head of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Muhammad Ibrahim, is embarking on a four-day official visit to Brazil this week.
IICA stated in a release that during his stay, he will engage with Brazilian ministers and senior government officials to enhance the efforts of the agency dedicated to agricultural and rural development in Brazil.
A distinguished Guyanese agronomist, Ibrahim, took on the role of Director General of IICA in January. His itinerary includes participating in forums in the Brazilian capital alongside ministers from other American nations, and hearing firsthand accounts from local farmers, cooperatives, and private sector representatives about their current circumstances and needs.
While in Brazil—where Minister Carlos Fávaro presides as Chair of IICA’s governing body, the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA)—Ibrahim will also join the Southern Agricultural Council (CAS). This ministerial platform is responsible for regional consultation and coordination among the agriculture ministers of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. With IICA providing the technical and administrative support, CAS has reached consensus on key issues over the past two decades.
According to IICA, Ibrahim intends to update CAS ministers on the development of IICA’s Medium-Term Plan (MTP), which serves as the organization’s strategic framework for 2026-2030. This plan has been developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and consultations with Member States to ensure that the technical assistance aligns with national priorities.
Additionally, Ibrahim will hold bilateral discussions with Uruguay’s Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Alfredo Fratti, and Paraguay’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Giménez.
His agenda in Brasilia also includes participation in the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, where IICA will facilitate a panel on regional challenges in agri-food systems.
Further meetings are scheduled with Caribbean and Central American ministers, Brazil’s Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Laura da Rocha, and Carlos Antonio Vieira Fernandes, President of the state-owned Caixa Econômica Federal bank.
Reportedly, a significant part of his visit will be a dialogue with Silvia Massruhá, President of EMBRAPA—Brazil’s leading agricultural research organization—focused on establishing an innovation hub for the Caribbean and Central America. EMBRAPA is recognized worldwide for its leadership in science and technology applied to agriculture.
Ibrahim will also meet with Brazil’s Minister of Social Development, Wellington Dias, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Planning.
The itinerary includes discussions with Senator Tereza Cristina, a former Minister of Agriculture, as well as meetings with leaders from the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA), the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), and representatives from Corteva Agriscience and Toyota.
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