Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture and International Development: A Fruitful Combination

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

A meeting held with Ms. Celina Caesar-Chavannes, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry, was quite encouraging. 

Ms. Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister of International Development, Dr. Audia
Barnett, IICA Canada Representative and Ms. Lindsay
Vyvey, Technical Cooperation Specialist, IICA

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is a powerhouse in the Canadian Federal Government – having three resident Ministers with portfolios: Foreign Affairs, International Development and La Francophonie and International Trade. Among GAC’s priorities are the strengthening of Canada’s contribution to a more just, inclusive and sustainable world as well as increasing and diversifying international trade, and foreign direct investment.   Although IICA’s programs reflect aspects of each of the three Ministries, the Ministry with portfolio responsibility for IICA (OAS and other such organizations) is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.     However, noting the relevance of the new Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) launched by the Ministry of International Development and La Francophonie, the Delegation initiated contact to introduce the scope of IICA’s mandate and work in the Americas.

A meeting held with Ms. Celina Caesar-Chavannes, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry, was quite encouraging. Joined by representatives from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Global Affairs Canada, discussions centered around the synergies between the FIAP and IICA’s activities in Latin American and Caribbean countries.   Ms. Caesar-Chavannes was particularly concerned about climate resilience in the Caribbean, as well as engaging youth in agriculture to achieve long term sustainability of the agricultural sector.  She was also enthusiastic about prospects for replicating a project recently concluded by the IICA Canada Delegation: “Value-Added Opportunities for Small-Scale Cacao Producers”, as it epitomized the values that are being promoted by her Ministry – namely economic empowerment of women and environmental sustainability, as well as strengthening value-added opportunities for smallholder farmers.

The Representative and Technical Cooperation Specialist were pleased with the interaction and anticipate further engagement with this dynamic portfolio.

For more information:

Dr. Audia Barnett

audia.barnett@iica.int

Share

Related news​

San José

October 28, 2025

During a visit to El Salvador, IICA’s Director General visited spaces dedicated to agricultural innovation and sustainability, and was honored for his contributions to food security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Director General’s presence reflected IICA’s commitment to continue supporting El Salvador’s efforts to make its agriculture sector more resilient, innovative and sustainable every day, thereby contributing to the wellbeing of rural families and the country’s economic development.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

En el diálogo el Director General del IICA, Manuel Otero, instó a las personas jóvenes a ser agentes de cambio, jerarquizar la agricultura y fortalecer la autoestima del sector agropecuario, por su rol clave para el desarrollo sostenible de los países de la región.

San José, Costa Rica

October 24, 2025

Youth are key to driving the transformation of agriculture across the hemisphere, says IICA Director General at a meeting with participants of the AgriTalent Program of the Americas

Manuel Otero emphasized the need to promote a new narrative for regional agriculture—one that elevates its standing and recognizes its contribution to the food security of the countries.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

El Presidente chileno, Gabriel Boric, durante la X Semana de la Energía que transcurrió en Santiago.

Santiago

October 23, 2025

IICA and the CPBIO highlight the strategic role of agriculture and biofuels at the Tenth Energy Week in Chile

Organized by the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), the participants in the event included His Excellency the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric. The discussions focused on the technical, economic and regulatory challenges involved in accelerating the decarbonization of transportation in the Americas, especially in the aviation sector.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins