IICA adopts a new strategy for meeting the challenges of agriculture
San Jose, Costa Rica, October 6, 2010 (IICA). The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is preparing to promote a new production paradigm for agriculture “that will overcome the limitations and drawbacks of the Green Revolution and meet the challenges of the 21st century,” with new strategic planning instruments approved by its member countries yesterday, October 5.
This statement was made by Victor M. Villalobos, Director General of IICA, while addressing delegations from 22 countries and several international organizations attending the 2010 meeting of the IICA Executive Committee.
In one of its most important decisions, the Executive Committee approved the 2010-2020 Strategic Plan and the 2010-2014 Medium-term Plan, which will serve as the foundation for the Institute’s actions in coming years.
“In a globalized world characterized by increasingly integrated markets, agriculture must be competitive if the countries are to take advantage of opportunities afforded by larger markets, contribute to food security and generate jobs and income for those who live and work in rural territories. IICA will support its member countries in reaching this goal,” he said during the inaugural session.
The Director General called for a new production paradigm for agriculture, one that will overcome the limitations and drawbacks of the Green Revolution and meet the challenges of the 21st century.
“This will be possible if we give the sector the importance it deserves and develop public policies that will position it where it should be; if we are able to attract sufficient investment; if we respect the environment and use natural resources wisely; if we manage scientific and technological knowledge effectively for innovation; if we raise productivity; and if we include all producers in development strategies and ensure they enjoy the corresponding benefits,” he added.
This belief in the potential of agriculture and in the capacity of international cooperation agencies to unleash that potential are the fundamental pillars of the 2010-2020 Strategic Plan and the 2010-2014 Medium-term Plan.
Strategic instruments
In its 2010-2020 Strategic Plan, IICA acknowledges the complexity and magnitude of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead of agriculture in the areas of productivity and competitiveness, rural territories, the effects of climate change, natural resource management and food security, where, according to Villalobos, the only constant will be instability.
This plan provides a framework for IICA’s actions and seeks to reflect not only the priorities of the member countries, but also their common vision of agriculture in the hemisphere in ten years, and of the role IICA should play in working toward that vision. It also sets forth guidelines for upgrading IICA’s technical expertise.
The Medium-term Plan will guide the present IICA administration as it pursues its goal “To make agriculture more competitive and sustainable” so that it can contribute more effectively to development, food security, rural well-being and the conservation of the environment.
As a result, IICA’s resources and efforts will be focused on those strategic objectives in which it has greater technical capacity, experience and stature.
The key objectives identified were to make agriculture more productive and competitive; to enhance agriculture’s contribution to the development of rural territories and well-being; to better prepare agriculture to mitigate the effects of and adapt to climate change and to make better use of natural resources; and to improve agriculture’s contribution to food security.
These strategic objectives will be addressed via six programs, each one with its own guidelines, goals and measurable results.
The types of cooperation to be provided include the design, analysis and evaluation of public policies and strategies; strengthening and modernization of institutions; creation and development of capabilities; knowledge management for agriculture and rural well-being; and support for the countries on specific issues and investment projects.
Villalobos added “I am convinced that the agriculture of the 21st century is facing challenges that IICA’s member countries can successfully meet, given their proven potential. Agriculture that is competitive, sustainable and inclusive is possible to the extent that international public goods are provided via multilateral technical cooperation,” upon the approval of the two plans.
For more information, contact