IICA launches project to enhance livestock sustainability and climate adaptation in Mexico and Guatemala

La iniciativa, que será ejecutada por el IICA, beneficiará en principio a 800 familias en México y a 500 en Guatemala, propiciando resiliencia a los pequeños productores pecuarios, en especial a mujeres, jóvenes y comunidades indígenas, mediante el uso de la ciencia ciudadana y los enfoques participativos. — The initiative, which will be executed by IICA, aims to benefit 800 families in Mexico and 500 in Guatemala, enhancing the resilience of small ranchers, particularly women, youth, and indigenous communities. To that end, it will utilize citizen science and participatory approaches, empowering local communities to take an active role in sustainable livestock management and climate change adaptation.

Ottawa, 6 September, 2024 (IICA) – The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) launched the project TeleGAN: Sustainability and Innovation in Livestock, which will foster sustainable and inclusive livestock management in Mexico and Guatemala, focusing on empowering women, youth and indigenous peoples.

The project, valued at close to USD 3.7 million, will last four years and is funded by Global Affairs Canada. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development of Canada, announced the funding during a recent visit to Central America, highlighting Canada’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in Latin America.

This announcement is aligned with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, which promotes gender equality and inclusive governance.

The initiative, which will be executed by IICA, aims to benefit 800 families in Mexico and 500 in Guatemala, enhancing the resilience of small ranchers, particularly women, youth, and indigenous communities. To that end, it will utilize citizen science and participatory approaches, empowering local communities to take an active role in sustainable livestock management and climate change adaptation.

“Canada, one of our member countries, is also a key partner of IICA in promoting more sustainable and inclusive agriculture in Latin American and Caribbean countries. This project will foster greater participation by women heads of household and young people in decision-making about their productive activities, based on information derived from the use of digital technologies. IICA is also consolidating its role as a bridge between countries and regions of the Americas, increasing technical cooperation and knowledge to accelerate the transformation of regional agriculture”, said Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA.

By utilizing remote sensing technology, the project will enable precise monitoring of environmental conditions and climate impacts, facilitating informed decision-making for sustainable livestock practices.

Ranchers will receive training in the interpretation and use of this data, which, along with local knowledge will inform the selection of sustainable management practices, including rotational grazing, silvopastoralism, water management, and improved animal nutrition.

This approach not only democratizes the use of monitoring data but also ensures that the solutions developed are tailored to the specific needs and conditions of the local environment.

The IICA Delegations in Mexico and Guatemala will play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the initiative, working closely with local governments, cattle ranchers’ associations, and academic institutions. Their on-the-ground expertise is complemented by South-South technical cooperation with Argentina and Costa Rica.

This collaboration brings together the specialized knowledge of IICA’s technical cooperation hemispheric programs and the expertise of Argentina’s Regional Analysis and Remote Sensing Laboratory at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), enhancing the project’s impact across the involved countries.

The project also underscores IICA’s commitment to gender equality, incorporating inclusive strategies to ensure women and youth are involved in all activities, recognizing their essential roles in agriculture.

By engaging with policymakers, the TeleGan project aims to advocate for gender-inclusive, data-driven climate adaptation policies that reflect local perspectives and utilize innovative technology for better outcomes.

About IICA:
IICA is the specialized agency for agriculture of the Inter-American system, with a mission to encourage, promote and support its 34 Member States in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being through international technical cooperation of excellence. For more information, visit iica.int.

More information:
Vivian Arguelles Gonzalez, Technical Cooperation Specialist and TeleGan Project Manager at IICA Canada.
vivian.arguelles@iica.int

Camino Aparicio, Liaison and Communication Specialist for the Northern Region at IICA Mexico.
camino.aparicio@iica.int