Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agriculture

Opportunities and challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean Innovating for a Resilient Agriculture and Food Sector

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

On April 26th 2019, a forum was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration to Celebrate the opening of the 2019 National Agriculture and Trade Show.  The theme of the forum was: Innovating for a Resilient Agriculture and Food Sector.

On April 26th 2019, a forum was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration to Celebrate the opening of the 2019 National Agriculture and Trade Show.  The theme of the forum was: Innovating for a Resilient Agriculture and Food Sector.

The Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture delivered a presentation on Bio-economy in Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities for innovative transformation of agricultural waste.  The presentation emphasized that climate change and the deterioration of natural resources generate growing challenges and limitations for the world. Current projections regarding populations, income and urbanization predict a sharp increase in the global demand for goods and services. In light of this scenario, it has become necessary to adjust our development model − which was first applied during the Industrial Revolution and continued to be implemented as oil was incorporated into the energy matrix given that it no longer allows for adequately addressing new challenges. It is crucial to substantially increase the production of food, energy, fibers and feed within the current context, which is characterized by increased degradation of and competition for natural resources, as well as by an obligation to meet international environmental commitments. We must now identify a cleaner, more sustainable economic development model. In facing this challenge, the convergence of biological sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, social sciences, and information and communication technologies (ICT) affords alternative pathways to established strategies.

More information:

everalda.westby@iica.int

Share

Related news​

Granada e São Vicente e Granadinas

March 6, 2025

Along with Chile and Uruguay, IICA strengthens food security in Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with donations of seeds, broiler chickens and laying hens

These contributions, obtained through the Institute’s partners in Chile and Uruguay, are part of the specialized agency for agricultural and rural development’s efforts to rebuild the agriculture sector in the wake of the devastation in the island nations caused by Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Kingston, Jamaica; Saint John’s, Antigua Y Barbuda; Castries, ST Lucia

March 5, 2025

IICA launches NextGenSP project, aimed at revitalizing sweet potato production to boost food security in the Caribbean

The initiative, which will address critical challenges to sweet potato production, aims to unleash the crop’s full potential to improve food security in the region.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San Jose, Costa Rica

March 3, 2025

IICA is launching the third edition of the Minecraft Education Challenge for Agriculture, aimed at young peopleand designed to promote food production in urban environments

The aim of the 2025 Minecraft Education Challenge is to find creative alternatives in the areas of vertical agriculture, the use of technology for food production in small spaces, agriculture on green roofs, flat roofs and balconies, hydroponics and aeroponics in urban environments, community agriculture, and sustainable urban gardens.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins