Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agricultural markets Agriculture Agroindustry Biotechnology Knowledge management

Partnering to improve productivity and environmental sustainability for small-holder farmers

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

The agreement will accommodate sharing of knowledge and innovations, agricultural exchanges and joint research internships to respond to the increasing productivity challenges being faced by farmers across the hemisphere.  The agreement will accommodate sharing of knowledge and innovations, agricultural exchanges and joint research internships to respond to the increasing productivity challenges being faced by farmers across the hemisphere.  The agreement will accommodate sharing of knowledge and innovations, agricultural exchanges and joint research internships to respond to the increasing productivity challenges being faced by farmers across the hemisphere.  

Members of Fertilizer Canada, as well as other partners such as CDF, AAFC, GAC, Embassy of Paraguay, CFA, Grain Growers of Canada and IPNI, were invited to witness the signing.

OTTAWA, ON – Smallholder farmers in the Americas stand to benefit from a technology package designed for a  more sustainable and productive agriculture, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fertilizer Canada and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) today.

Degraded soils, drought, extreme environmental events are some of the factors contributing to less than optimal yields, quality and competitiveness of agricultural commodities in many parts of the Americas.   Good Agricultural Practices including prudent management of land and water resources continue to hold the key to improved productivity. IICA Representative in Canada, Dr. Audia Barnett observed that “the agreement demonstrates the value of IICA as a bridge for sharing and accessing solutions and opportunities within its member countries”.

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship is an internationally-recognized best management practice (BMP) framework with four key pillars for fertilizer application: Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®. This science-based approach helps growers understand how efficient fertilizer application improves profitability while reducing nutrient losses to the environment. 

According to Garth Whyte, President & CEO of Fertilizer Canada, “4R Nutrient Stewardship is well-suited for adoption by smallholder farmers by offering proven best management practices that can increase crop yields and profitability.”

Through joint programming, resource mobilisation and shared learning, Fertilizer Canada and IICA will work with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship for sustainable nutrient management in the Americas towards improved food-security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers.

 

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialized agency of the Inter-American System for the promotion of agriculture and rural well-being, and our efforts are fully focused on making agriculture competitive and sustainable in the Americas.

Fertilizer Canada represents manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers. The association is committed to supporting the fertilizer industry with innovative research and programming while advocating sustainability, stewardship, safety and security through standards and Codes of Practice. Please visit fertilizercanada.ca.

 

For further information, please contact:

Audia Barnett
audia.barnett@iica.int

Share

Related news​

San José, Costa Rica

July 4, 2025

A new IDB-IICA publication maps the sustainable livestock farming initiatives underway in the countries of the Southern Agricultural Council (CAS)

This document summarizes the work carried out during the first year of operation of the Sustainable Cattle Farming Platform of the Americas. This is a collaborative space managed jointly by IICA and the IDB whose mission is to contribute to information sharing, collaboration, and the generation and dissemination of knowledge on the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of livestock production systems that coexist in the different regions of the Americas.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

July 3, 2025

IICA promotes environmental education in the classroom with its handover of the first Urban Productive Garden in Costa Rica

Officers of IICA’s Community Outreach Association, APC, handed over tools and guides to the “República de Paraguay” school, for the purpose of establishing a productive garden.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Manuel Otero, Director General del IICA; José Emilio Guerrero, profesor de la UCO de España; Rosa Gallardo, Directora de la Cátedra de Inteligencia Artificial y Agricultura del mismo centro académico; Carlos Alzate, experto en IA y CEO de AI Fund; Gloria Abraham, Carlos Gustavo Cano Sanz, Eduardo Trigo, y Martín Piñeiro, miembros del Consejo Asesor para la Transformación de los Sistemas Agroalimentarios del Instituto; y Jorge Werthein, Asesor Especial del Director General del IICA.

San José, Costa Rica

July 3, 2025

Artificial intelligence represents a revolution with great potential for agriculture, experts say during IICA’s Advisory Council session on Agri-food Systems Transformation

During the discussion, participants emphasized the need for the integration of AI to be an inclusive process, with special attention given to small-scale and family farmers. It was also stressed that AI should not be seen as an end in itself, but rather as a means to transform agriculture with a focus on value chains.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins