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, Costa Rica

June 5, 2025

At IICA, Costa Rican cacao producers are recognized for the excellence of their products and for their contribution to rural development and nutrition in the region

Experts analyzed 15 samples of cacao from various parts of the Central American country, with the five that received the highest scores then declared winners of the 2025 competition. The same five samples were sent to Rome, Italy, where they will represent Costa Rica in the international “Cacao of Excellence” competition, the stepping stone to the International Cocoa Awards.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Turrialba, Costa Rica

June 3, 2025

On a study visit to Costa Rica, ministers of Agriculture, rural youth and women of the Eastern Caribbean were introduced to improved agricultural practices

The mission began with two days of activities at IICA Headquarters in San Jose, including meeting with the IICA Director General, Manuel Otero. The visitors then travelled to CATIE.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

June 2, 2025

Ibero-America sees biofuels as a solution to decarbonize the energy sector  

The annual meeting of the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulators (ARIAE), held in San Jose and Guanacaste, Costa Rica, featured the II Entrepreneurial Forum, attracting 200 participants, including the Costa Rican Minister of Environment and Energy, the Executive Secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and authorities of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB); the XV Regular Annual Meeting of the ARIAE General Assembly, which was attended by 17 regulatory agencies of ARIAE; and the XXVI Annual Meeting of ARIAE Energy Regulators.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins