From the Desk of the Representative - IICA Delegation in the USA Newsletter — September - December 2017

As we close 2017 and start 2018, it seems only pertinent to take time to reflect on the accomplishments achieved during the administration of Dr. Victor Villalobos, and to plan for the next chapter in IICA’s life under the leadership of Dr. Manuel Otero.

During Dr. Villalobos’ administration, IICA focused its works to tackle the four major challenges of agriculture: a) improve productivity and competitiveness b) improve the contribution of agriculture to the development of rural communities and territories; c) improve the capacity of agriculture to mitigate and adapt to climate change; and, d) improve agricultural contribution to food security.

To achieve these objectives, IICA implemented a new model of technical cooperation based on the utilization of four major instruments to provide tangible and transparent results to IICA member countries. These instruments included the execution of hemispheric flagship project in five strategic areas (competitiveness of agrifood chains; family agriculture, social inclusion in rural territories, improved resilience in agriculture and animal and plant health and food safety).

A second instrument was designed to provide rapid and strategic responses to pressing issues being faced by IICA’s member countries. The third instrument consisted of the operation of an internal competitive fund, designed to look for innovative and collaborative approaches to issues affecting agriculture. Finally, the fourth instrument entailed the execution of externally funded projects.

This approach proved to be highly appreciated by our members. Among the most relevant results achieved are:

In the area of family agriculture:

• Eight countries have developed proposals for the establishment of public polices oriented to strengthen family agriculture.
• More than 150 professionals and practitioners participated in the design of a project to increase capacity to address issues on animal and plant health and food safety in family agriculture production systems.
• Six Caribbean countries strengthened their capacities to improve their family production systems.
• More than 3000 producers and professionals improved their knowledge on sustainable production and territorial development in Chile, Honduras, Paraguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Uruguay, Nicaragua  and Venezuela.
• More than 100 family agricultural producers from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay and Peru, improved their knowledge on innovative production practices.
• 12 organizations of young rural agricultural producers from El Salvador, Paraguay, Suriname St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago were trained on marketing and improved their commercial capabilities.

In the area of competitiveness of agricultural chains:

• More than 3400 professionals from 50 institutions in 28 countries of the Americas improved their knowledge in public policies needed to strengthen agricultural value chains.
• 530 practitioners and producers from 140 organization were trained to improve the governance of value chains with applications in 14 agricultural value chains.
• 6900 public and private sector actors from 205 institutions strengthened their capacity to utilize innovations within the value chain.
• More than 1600 actors from 10 countries were trained in commercialization with emphasis in exports and agro-tourism.

Regarding efforts to improve social inclusion in rural territories:

• 147 institutions improved their capacities to promote agriculture and rural territories inclusive development.
• Assisted in the publication of official public polices in 11 countries and the establishment of 7 dialogue spaces to promote the formulation of public policies proposal for social inclusion in rural territories.
• 1450 rural families increased their participation in decision making and concertation process for the development of affirmative actions and social inclusion of good practices in the rural territories.
• Developed a public access information system with topics related to territorial development and social inclusion.
• 96 economic development projects and business plans for rural families in 8 countries.

Regarding resilience in agriculture:

• 6300 professionals from 29 countries improved their knowledge on issues related to adaptation to climate change, risk management and integral soil management among others.
• 500 technicians from 40 institutions, representing 9 countries, were trained to include issues of adaptation to climate change in the planning process for the agricultural sector.
• 18 Spanish-speaking countries have access to an “observatory” and an online course on Risk Management and Agricultural Insurance. This course was prepared in collaboration with ALASA and FIDES.
• Consolidated the “Caribbean Climate Smart Agriculture Forum” as a platform for interchange of information related to agriculture and climate change in the Caribbean Region.
• 310 professionals were trained in the elaboration and use of agro-climatic risk maps in Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
• 8 countries were supported to strengthen their capacities for the design and development of strategies, programs, plans and norms for the management of phyto- and zoo-sanitary risks associated with changes in climate.

In relation to animal and plant health and food safety (SAIA):

• Supported the active participation of 25 countries in Codex Alimentarius where relevant   standards for 30 countries were reviewed.
• Developed capacities in 1400 professionals from 12 countries on the new requirements established by FISMA.
• Improved the performance of the sanitary services in Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and El Salvador thanks to the application of the DVE instrument developed by IICA.
• 12 countries were supported to improve their capacity to respond to sanitary emergencies.  
• 2400 professionals and officials from Costa Rica, Colombia, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela were trained in biotechnology and biosecurity.

On a personal note, I want to take this space to express to Dr. Villalobos my most sincere thanks for allowing me to be part of this effort and to serve during his administration in the important role of Representative in the USA.

As of January 15th, 2018, we will start a new administration, under the leadership of Dr. Otero. I am sure that IICA will continue to provide solutions to address the challenges of agriculture and the rural communities across the hemisphere. I am sure of this, as I have had the opportunity to know Manuel for the last 16 years and I have been witness to his unparalleled dedication to IICA’s vision, mission and principles. I am sure that under his leadership he will guide the Institute to new heights. I invite all of our readers to continue to work with us for the advancement of agriculture and the construction of a better world.

I would like to wish all of you the best in 2018.

Sincerely,

Dr. Miguel García-Winder, IICA Representative in the USA, Head of CAESPA

*The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and they do not reflect the position of the Institute on the topics presented.

*This post appears in the IICA Delegation in the USA Newsletter - September - December 2017