Dr. Manuel Otero presented his new model of technical cooperation to the eight Ministers of Agriculture of the SICA group
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April, 2018 (IICA). From April 9th to 10th, the Ministers of Agriculture of the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC) held their Second Ordinary Meeting in the Dominican Republic. This important meeting was chaired by Mr. Ángel Estévez, Minister of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, who holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Mr. Estévez said “if we want to have a strengthened agricultural and livestock system for Central America, we should all adopt cooperative systems as a goal, where we cross information and maintain the unity of our countries to satisfy the demand for local food and so that we can encourage exports”. He indicated that the model of cooperatives implemented in the Dominican Republic promotes among small producers becoming, not only owners, but also managing all the links of production so that they can become agribusinesses, increase their productivity and production.
On Tuesday, April 10th, the Council of Agriculture Ministers met in Punta Cana to examine and deliberate on various topics, such as the revision of the Annual Work Plan for 2018; the regional agenda of Social Protection and productive inclusion of SICA; a new project proposal for rural youth in the region; as well as progress in the implementation of the Action Plan for the formulation of a new Agricultural Policy for the SICA Region.
With a view to strengthening the regional support of the CAC, a space was provided for the new Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Dr. Manuel Otero to make a presentation on a renewed model of Technical Cooperation with the Central American Region and the Dominican Republic of IICA to the CAC.
In the afternoon, the CAC Ministers met with the OSPESCA Board of Directors and closed the day with an multi sectoral meeting between the CAC and the Council of Ministers of Women of SICA (COMMCA), approving a common multi sectoral agenda for the economic empowerment of rural women of the SICA Region.
More information: Mr. Frank Lam, IICA Representative in the Dominican Republic,
