Introduction of Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim as New IICA Director General
On the 15th of this month, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim from the Cooperative Republic of Guyana assumed the position of Director General at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), with its central office located in San José, Costa Rica. Having known Dr. Ibrahim since his student days at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), where he also served as Director General, I am confident that he possesses the capability and experience to strengthen this vital hemispheric institution.
IICA’s Historical Significance and Mission
In these times when multilateralism and international technical cooperation are under heavy attack, it is crucial to recall that the IICA was established in 1942 during World War II by Henry Wallace, who served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture and later as Vice President. His vision was to promote research on tropical crops, some of which were strategically important at the time, such as rubber, in high demand for allied forces.
The consolidation of the inter-American system, following the creation of the OAS, reserved for the IICA the mission to “support its member states in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being.” This mission has been successfully carried out for over eight decades, benefiting the 34 countries that make up the organization.
IICA’s Role and Impact
The IICA has served as a bridge to promote and facilitate knowledge transfer among countries across the Americas, enhancing their agricultural sectors’ capabilities and building common positions on global agroalimentary challenges. Having had the privilege of leading this noble institution for two consecutive terms (2010-2018), I can attest to its value and the trust it enjoys from member states.
Despite current global uncertainties in political, social, economic, and environmental spheres, crises often bring opportunities. In agriculture, there are significant sectoral advantages amidst this uncertainty; food demand consistently rises due to population growth and diversification of agro-food markets, as well as the production of numerous input goods demanded by the economy.
Agriculture plays a dual social function, as it forms the basis for ensuring proper nutrition for all and creating conditions to overcome rural poverty affecting millions of families.
Challenges and Opportunities for Hemispheric Agriculture
In today’s world, it is challenging for a single country to address all international challenges alone. Organizations like the IICA are indispensable as facilitators for agricultural cooperation in the hemisphere, thanks to their multilateral nature and presence across member countries, as well as their human capital and experience in this field.
The new IICA administration will need to analyze the key factors affecting hemispheric agriculture under current conditions. I identify three as the most pressing:
- A global scenario of uncertainty, as well as within our countries, which does not allow for long-term productive strategies;
- Modification of international trade patterns, with political criteria imposed on markets that override technical arguments;
- Climate vulnerability, worsening at an alarming rate, leaving us behind in the search for solutions.
Despite these challenges, hemispheric agriculture boasts significant capabilities. We have major agroexporting powers, abundant natural resources (water and soils), the planet’s greatest agrobiodiversity, and both large-scale producers and millions of small farmers.
The Americas’ countries offer diverse agroecological characteristics, which can complement each other and represent a significant strength. However, there are also asymmetries that the IICA must consider:
- Strong and weak economies;
- Advanced scientific and technological developments in some countries, insufficient in others;
- Major agroexporting nations and net food importers;
- High productivity levels in some countries, while others struggle with low productivity.
Differences in the national importance attributed to agriculture also exist, reflected in policy priorities. Generally, agriculture plays a secondary role in development strategies, with few notable exceptions.
IICA’s Primary Task: Bridging Gaps
The IICA’s main task should be to help reduce these gaps through technical cooperation based on scientific knowledge, recognizing that diverse realities require distinct solutions. Taking into account each member state’s specific demands and needs, the IICA can complement their capacities through alliances and multilateral action.
Looking at the situation optimistically, the world is currently undergoing a positive transformation of agrofood systems through continuous innovation and application of scientific knowledge from fields previously unimaginable. This toolkit, now accessible, will be the IICA’s armory to support its member countries’ agriculture.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is the new IICA Director General? Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim from the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
- What is the IICA’s mission? To support member states in achieving agricultural development and rural well-being.
- What challenges does hemispheric agriculture face? Global and internal uncertainty, changing trade patterns, and climate vulnerability.
- What are hemispheric agriculture’s strengths? Major agroexporting powers, abundant natural resources, agrobiodiversity, and both large-scale producers and small farmers.
- What is the IICA’s primary task? To bridge gaps in agricultural development through technical cooperation based on scientific knowledge.
