IICA showcases major gains in agricultural resilience and rural development at Executive Committee meeting in Lima

At the Forty-fifth Regular Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), held in Lima, Peru, Director General Manuel Otero presented a comprehensive report on the organization’s recent achievements. Ministers of Agriculture and senior officials from twenty-three countries across the hemisphere endorsed Otero’s leadership and the Institute’s efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, resilience, and rural development.

Otero highlighted IICA’s expanded technical cooperation in response to recent global crises, emphasizing the organization’s strategic focus on science, innovation, and technology. He reported that IICA is currently managing a portfolio of 358 cooperation projects in collaboration with 500 strategic partners, involving 600 specialists and technical consultants. These initiatives are reaching approximately 10.5 million farmers and rural stakeholders.

Over the past three years, IICA has executed initiatives valued at $200 million annually, contributing to the capacity development of 100 million small farmers across three continents in regenerative agriculture. The organization has also represented the interests of farmers from the Americas at major international forums on agriculture, development, and environmental issues.

The meeting, co-opened by Otero and Ángel Manero Campos, Peru’s Minister of Agricultural Development and Irrigation, provided a platform for member countries to reaffirm their support for IICA’s mission. Jason Hafemeister of the United States Department of Agriculture expressed alignment with IICA’s priorities, including agricultural competitiveness, food security, and pest and disease control. Argentina’s Agustín Tejeda praised IICA’s role in fostering regional dialogue and unified positions on trade barriers. Brazil’s Cleber Soares emphasized the Americas’ responsibility in meeting 40% of global food demand and called for continued unity under IICA’s leadership.

Caribbean representatives, including Saboto Caesar of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Indar Weir of Barbados, acknowledged IICA’s support during natural disasters and its ongoing cooperation with vulnerable agricultural sectors. Canada and Mexico also commended the Institute’s efforts to position agriculture as a key solution to global challenges. Víctor Carvajal of Costa Rica, newly appointed Chair of the Executive Committee, recognized IICA’s contributions to technological transformation in agriculture.

During the session, candidates for the next Director General term (2026–2030)—Mohammad Ibrahim of Guyana, Laura Suazo of Honduras, and Fernando Mattos of Uruguay—presented their visions for the organization. IICA staff shared updates on major initiatives, including the Hemispheric Partnership for Food Security and Sustainable Development, the Living Soils of the Americas, and the Hemispheric Fund for Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas (FoHRSA). Reports were also delivered by CATIE and CARDI.

IICA continues to serve as the specialized agency for agriculture in the Inter-American system, supporting its 34 Member States in achieving agricultural development and rural well-being through high-quality international technical cooperation.