Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agriculture Agrotourism and rural tourism Food and nutrition security Food safety Inclusion Innovation Productivity

Forging Partnerships in the Maritimes Canada

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

Consultations in Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton and Charlottetown highlighted common areas of interest and revealed programs that were amenable to the scale in LAC.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – Members from Atlantic Canada’s producer groups, academia and government, met with representatives from IICA’s delegation in Canada, and identified win-win opportunities for Canada and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) during a recent 5 day mission of the IICA team. A case in point is the Maritime Provinces’ strong focus on screening and optimizing marine biodiversity and related commercialization processes.  Officials commented on the many areas of common interest in relation to the programmes and initiatives for bioactive-based health products.  As natural products and bioactives continue to be in great demand globally, and the hemisphere is known for having rich genetic diversity, partnerships, information sharing, use of specialized facilities and marketing prospects, were presented as prospects to be further explored. 

The Atlantic Veterinary College of the University of Prince Edward Island demonstrated it world renowned reputation.  With strong programs in aquaculture and related diagnostics, the niche occupied is well earned.  Participants discussed the impact of warmer temperatures on the efficacy of antibiotics used in both livestock and fish.  Researchers in the Maritime region were amenable to collaborative studies with those LAC organizations of shared interests in the south.   Similar viewpoints were articulated for testing new varieties of crops such as potatoes in the warmer climes of LAC.   

The Maritime stakeholders were receptive to the opportunities for internships, scholarships and exchanges, funded or arranged by IICA.  Several specific initiatives were highlighted for follow-up.

The IICA mission to the Atlantic Provinces was a first under the Institute’s 2010 -2020 Strategic Plan.  The mission was led by the IICA Representative in Canada and attended by the Technical Cooperation Specialist of the IICA Canada Delegation and by the Deputy Director for Technical Cooperation.

For further information, please contact Audia Barnett at 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