{"id":353273,"date":"2025-12-04T14:32:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T18:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=353273"},"modified":"2025-12-04T14:32:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T18:32:09","slug":"agricultural-research-experts-in-caribbean-and-latin-america-reflect-on-manuel-oteros-tenure-as-head-of-iica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/homepage-carousel\/agricultural-research-experts-in-caribbean-and-latin-america-reflect-on-manuel-oteros-tenure-as-head-of-iica\/","title":{"rendered":"Agricultural research experts in Caribbean and Latin America reflect on Manuel Otero’s tenure as head of IICA"},"content":{"rendered":"
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During his tenure at IICA, Manuel Otero has promoted efforts to strength FONTAGRO, given the important role this regional fund plays in making the agrifood sector more competitive, reducing poverty and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Photo: IICA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The leaders of public agricultural research organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean have acknowledged the significant contributions of Manuel Otero, the Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). IICA reported via media release that they credited him with demonstrating unwavering dedication to the region\u2019s agrifood systems, which serve as fundamental elements for sustainable development in the area.<\/p>\n

Reportedly, delegates from numerous countries on the continent, who are members of FONTAGRO\u2019s Governing Council\u2014a prominent platform for agricultural innovation\u2014emphasized the vital role of Otero\u2019s leadership. Since taking on the role in January 2018, Otero has been instrumental in advancing regional agricultural initiatives, said IICA. His tenure will conclude on January 15, when agronomist Muhammad Ibrahim from Guyana is scheduled to assume the position of Director General.<\/p>\n

The organization added that throughout his leadership at IICA, Otero has prioritized bolstering FONTAGRO, recognizing the critical influence of the regional fund in enhancing the competitiveness of the agrifood sector, alleviating poverty, and promoting the sustainable management of natural resources.<\/p>\n

Currently, FONTAGRO is engaged in implementing 212 projects centered on agricultural innovation, involving over 8,000 researchers.<\/p>\n

\u201cManuel Otero\u2019s vision has transformed agricultural cooperation in our region\u201d, stated Nicol\u00e1s Bronzovich, President of Argentina\u2019s National Agricultural Research Institute (INTA).<\/p>\n

Jorge Ganoza Roncal, the Executive President of Peru\u2019s National Agricultural Innovation Institute (INIA), expressed gratitude, saying, \u201cfor his steadfast support for efforts to enhance our capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mar\u00eda Teresa Pino, Head of the Food Sector at Chile\u2019s Agricultural Research Institute (INIA), highlighted that \u201cOtero\u2019s commitment to innovation and research has been key to improving our capabilities\u201d.<\/p>\n

As per the release, Miguel Serrano L\u00f3pez, Executive Director of Colombia\u2019s Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA), emphasized Otero\u2019s talent for uniting diverse nations behind a common goal.<\/p>\n

Costa Rica\u2019s INTA Executive Director, Jos\u00e9 Roberto Camacho Montero, remarked that \u201cManuel Otero\u2019s dedication to food security has been an example to us all\u201d.<\/p>\n

According to IICA, the Director General\u2019s capacity to navigate evolving challenges in agriculture was also recognized. Ra\u00fal Jaramillo, Director of Ecuador\u2019s National Agricultural Research Institute (INIAP), lauded Otero\u2019s efforts to address shifting issues faced by the sector.<\/p>\n

Alexandra Rodr\u00edguez, acting head of Panama\u2019s Agricultural Innovation Institute (IDIAP), noted that Otero\u2019s leadership was crucial in fostering innovation within agriculture.<\/p>\n

Uruguay\u2019s National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) President, Miguel Sierra, praised Otero\u2019s \u201ctireless efforts to unite the agricultural community of Latin America\u201d.<\/p>\n

Margaret Guti\u00e9rrez of Venezuela\u2019s National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) reflected, \u201cHis impact has been profound and his legacy continues to guide our daily actions\u201d, while Windson July Martinez from Bolivia\u2019s National Agricultural and Forestry Innovation Institute (INIAF) called on Otero to \u201ccontinue\u201d his work advocating for sustainable development and rural empowerment.<\/p>\n

Edgar Esteche of Paraguay\u2019s Agricultural Technology Institute (IPTA) expressed appreciation for Otero\u2019s belief in rural communities\u2019 potential to create positive change. Similarly, Eladio Arnaud Santana of the Dominican Agricultural and Forestry Research Institute (IDIAF) highlighted Otero\u2019s “enthusiasm and leadership with which he has helped us all move forward together in the battle for the productive development of the region\u201d.<\/p>\n

Eugenia Saini, FONTAGRO\u2019s Executive Secretary, underscored the importance of the partnership between IICA and the regional innovation fund. She recalled that \u201cManuel Otero opened the doors of IICA to us at a difficult time, when FONTAGRO was trying to figure how it was going to continue working. At IICA, we discovered phenomenal work teams and representatives in the countries with whom we have been able to scale up the technologies that emerge from FONTAGRO projects.\u201d<\/p>\n

She concluded by urging Otero to\u00a0 “continue his work with the scientific community of Latin America and the Caribbean” emphasizing that “his leadership has put us back on the map. We are now part of international dialogues in which we had not been involved hitherto.\u201d<\/p>\n