Through a survey, 12 entities provided feedback, suggestions and comments to IICA regarding the topics that the Institute should work on for the benefit of local agriculture.
San Jose, 22 March 2018 (IICA). A total of 12 entities related to Haiti’s agriculture sector contributed to the preparation of the Medium-term Plan (MTP) 2014-2018 of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the document that guides the work carried out by this international organization for the benefit of local agriculture.
Participants were draw from the public and private sectors, universities, international organizations and embassies. They identified the main topics on which IICA’s work should focus, highlighting sustainable zoo-phytosanitary protection and food safety; research, training and extension; resilience to climate change; agricultural entrepreneurship; agro-tourism and agroindustry; water management; support for the formulation of policies and plans for agricultural development; agricultural production and post-harvest losses and inclusion of youth and women in agriculture.
They also stated that, in coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture and in partnership with other agencies, IICA should provide the assistance through technical and operational support in identifying and implementing development strategies, activities, and projects. They consider that IICA’s work could focus on mobilizing human resources and knowledge available at the regional and global levels that can be useful in and contribute to the execution of these activities.
The Mobilization of financial resources through international agencies and third countries (including South-South cooperation), was mentioned as another modality of cooperation, as this may contribute, preferably but not exclusively, to the cooperation activities.
“The sessions were very effective and well conducted. The responses from partners, donors and stakeholders will allow us to take into consideration the unique needs of each country. This is truly a bottom-up approach in the development of an institutional plan”, stated IICA’s Representative in Haiti, Abimbola Abiola.
The Director of the International Liaison Office in the Ministère de l’Agriculture (MARNDR), Colette Blanchet, confirmed that the process followed was very well managed and inclusive. “The involvement of beneficiaries in the preparation of the MTP is quite appreciated; partners and stakeholders are satisfied that IICA wants to meet the needs of the country”, she said.
The Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, stated that the participants’ recommendations would be crucial in the development of a road map aimed at meeting country needs.
“When we understand the way our countries think and what their priorities are, we are able to efficiently target and distribute our resources, while working together to address national demands. This process guarantees IICA’s institutional strengthening moving forward,” he stated.
For his part, Diego Montenegro, Director of Management and Regional Integration of IICA, stated that the participatory preparation of the new MTP began with an internal consultation process involving Institute personnel. The second phase consists of a broad consultation process with counterparts that work with IICA’s Delegations.
“In addition to the consultation processes currently underway in each of the Member States, we have identified the Delegations that work closely with the regional integration mechanisms, and have requested their input in order to develop the MTP’s regional scope,” he stated.
This consultation process will be replicated in all other IICA Member States to ensure that each country’s vision is taken into account in the preparation of national and regional plans.
More information:
Abimbola Abiola, IICA Representative in Haiti.
