A busy week of activities was recently wrapped up by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in Buenos Aires, highlighting its efforts to foster regional collaboration and innovation in agriculture. During this period, IICA facilitated a visit by three ministers from Central America and the Caribbean, who explored emerging trade avenues and partnership opportunities with both the Argentine government and private sector stakeholders.
IICA reported that these officials, alongside international experts, engaged in a three-day conference that attracted over 15,000 farmers from Argentina and neighboring countries. The event emphasized advancements in sustainable practices and technological innovation within the agricultural sector.
Panama’s Minister of Agricultural Development, Roberto José Linares; Trinidad and Tobago’s Senator and Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ravi Ratiram; and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Frederick Stephenson comprised the regional delegation. Accompanying them was Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA. The economies of these nations—primarily net food importers—present promising opportunities for Argentina’s robust agricultural economy to complement their needs and foster regional food security.
Participation in the Argentine Association of Direct Seeding Producers (AAPRESID) Congress was a key element of the visit, says IICA, adding that the Institute offered insights into regional agricultural challenges and prospects. The conference also featured notable speakers such as Kip Tom, Vice Chair of Rural Policy at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI); Jack Bobo, Executive Director of the Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies at UCLA; Walter Baethgen, Senior Research Scientist at Columbia Climate School; and IICA’s own Manuel Otero.
According to IICA, high-level discussions took place at Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. The visiting ministers met with Minister Gerardo Werthein and Secretary Jorge Iraeta, and engaged with representatives from the private sector. Reportedly, the itinerary also included visits to key Argentine agricultural institutions, such as the Institute of Floriculture at the National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA) in Castelar—an esteemed hub for floriculture and nursery production—as well as a composting facility and a state-of-the-art hydroponic vegetable farm showcasing cutting-edge technology.
Reflecting on their experiences, Ravi Ratiram expressed appreciation for the integration of research, innovation, and youth involvement in Argentina’s agricultural landscape.
“I saw how research and development are translated into action through investment in new technologies, and I noticed many young people interested in rural life. I am grateful that IICA has given me this opportunity, and I will return to Trinidad and Tobago having learned many lessons,” he said.
Roberto Linares highlighted the productivity of his engagements with both government and private sector representatives.
“We will have numerous opportunities for collaboration. Panama, being a small country, can greatly benefit from Argentina’s expertise in agriculture. Our logistics infrastructure can help distribute Argentinian exports globally, creating mutual advantages,” he noted.
Minister Stephenson emphasized the broader impact of the visit, stating that it would generate benefits not only for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines but also for other Caribbean nations within the OECS and CARICOM, remarking, “In Buenos Aires, I discussed the vulnerabilities of my country and our region, such as hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. The cooperation of agricultural leaders like Argentina is vital, adding to IICA’s ongoing efforts.”
The AAPRESID Congress stood out as a major event, featuring 160 panels, 450 speakers, and 150 exhibitors. For the second year in a row, IICA stated that it played a leading role, boosting the international profile of this important Argentine farmers’ organization.
As outlined by the IICA release, discussions among international experts centered on reshaping the narrative around agriculture in the Americas—highlighting its critical role in ensuring food and energy security, soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Professor Jack Bobo underscored the importance of combating misinformation and polarization, emphasizing that advancements in agriculture have significantly increased global life expectancy by improving nutrition and food quality.
Kip Tom highlighted food security’s vital role in national stability and democracy, while Walter Baethgen called for enhanced communication strategies to bridge the gap between consumers and food producers, countering misleading narratives. Manuel Otero forewarned that agriculture’s influence on public policy will intensify, but stressed the need for increased investment in research, digital skills, and leadership development—calling for a transformative approach to meet future global challenges.
The week concluded with a ceremony at the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange honoring Manuel Otero’s contributions to the hemisphere’s agroindustrial growth. The Exchange also hosted a high-level discussion on agriculture’s place within the current geopolitical landscape, involving IICA’s representatives and regional stakeholders, further underscoring the importance of agricultural collaboration in addressing global challenges.
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