top of page
Message from the Director General
Manuel Otero,
Director General of IICA
"In 2024, we worked with our member countries to address their priorities and strengthen agriculture in the Americas. Our work agenda prioritized capitalizing on opportunities afforded by the bioeconomy, production diversification, technology innovation, international cooperation, agricultural financing, agricultural digitalization, the training of new leaders and the strengthening of partnerships.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is a leading institution for education, innovation and the dissemination of agricultural knowledge in the Americas. Through the IICA of Open Doors initiative, it welcomed more than 12,000 visitors, mostly youth and students, who participated in immersive experiences at the Interpretive Center for Tomorrow’s Agriculture (CIMAG) and the Digital Fabrication and Community Innovation Laboratory (FabLab-LINC).
Interacting with drones, robotics, artificial intelligence and other technology applied in agriculture awakened the vocational interest of young people in agriculture, fostered generational succession in the sector and demonstrated that the agriculture sector of the future will be digital, sustainable and highly technified".
What is IICA?
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture is the specialized agency for agricultural and rural development, with a mission to encourage, promote and support the efforts of its thirty-four Member States to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being, through international technical cooperation of excellence. Its value proposition is summarized in Resolution 545, approved by the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA) in 2023, which expands the focus of the Institute’s actions to seven technical programs. IICA’s strategy is outlined in its 2022-2026 Medium-term Plan, in its business model that specifies the way in which the Institute adds value to its member countries, and in five strategic statements that guide and direct the Institute’s actions to achieve the expected results of its technical cooperation.
Our Business Model
Our Five Strategic Statements
To strengthen the Institute’s finances and establish partnerships.
To be an IICA of open doors.
To carry out efficient administrative management.
To provide technical cooperation of excellence.
To foster a leadership style that strengthens agrifood systems.
Hemispheric Partnership for Food Security and Sustainable Development in the Americas
The Institute focused its actions by implementing the Hemispheric Partnership for Food Security and Sustainable Development of the Americas, which was approved in 2023 as an instrument to enable member countries to work together to devise solutions to common problems, complement national capacities and enhance the region’s standing. These collective actions aim to strengthen agrifood trade in the Americas and to contribute to sustainable development and food security, both at the regional and global level.
Training of +15,000 producers.
Forging of strategic partnerships with 150 institutions to spur the use of bioinputs and biofuels, among other solutions.
Hosting of 1,000+ business meetings to drive the competitiveness of the sector, facilitate trade agreements valuing more than USD 44 million, and foster the harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary standards in collaboration with international organizations.
IICA in Numbers
0
technical cooperation initiatives
%
0
achievement of the goals of our activities
0
national and international partners
0
territories covered in the 34 member countries
0
beneficiary farmers
0
+
million executed during the year
0
+
visitors in 2024 under the IICA of Open Doors initiative
Real-time data on the Institute’s technical cooperation is available on IICA CONECTA
Technical Cooperation of Excellence
Innovation and Bioeconomy
Cooperative Program for Agrifood and Agroindustrial Technology Development in the Southern Cone (PROCISUR)
PROCISUR, whose Technical Secretariat is managed by the Institute, made significant headway in agricultural research and institutional strengthening in the Southern Cone, in four main areas:
Potato:
Gene editing of potato lines with improved traits, with funding from the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO), GDM Seeds and Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas (ACA).
Bioinputs:
​
3 challenges in need of attention were identified in the regional agenda:
-
Scalability of biotechnologies
-
Academic training in bioinputs
-
Development of solutions to manage thermal and water stress.
Water:
Identification of 1,190 companies and 211 stakeholders in the AgTech system with an interest in water management solutions.
Development of protocols and methodological guides for validation of technologies in this area.
Sustainable livestock production:
​
Joint actions were undertaken with +50 key actors to identify gaps in technological knowledge, with funding from the Latin American and Caribbean program of New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Bioinputs in Brazil
A study revealed that bioinputs had the potential to:
USD 5.1
billions in generating a bio-input economy.
18.5
million tons in CO2 emissions reduction.
The study was undertaken in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA), the Brazilian Bioinnovation Association (ABBI) and the Technology Center for the Chemical and Textile Industry (SENAI CETIQT).
Promotion of Biotechnology and Biosecurity
10
countries in Latin America and the Caribbean strengthened their capacities for the safe use of biotechnology in agriculture, thanks to training programs and the development of rules and regulations on biosecurity. This will enable them to increase innovation in the agrifood sector and ensure more sustainable production.
Antigua and Barbuda
In collaboration with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).
IICA assisted in the conservation and genetic improvement of the Antigua Black pineapple through the:
-
Procurement and cultivation of 15,000 plantlets at the Biotechnology Agriculture Center in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
-
Training of more than 30 technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture in drip irrigation techniques and tissue culture nursery management.
Regional Agricultural Research Consortia Program (CRIA) in Guatemala
Executed by the Institute based on an agreement between the governments of Guatemala and the United States.
Validation of technologies for the improvement of yellow corn and potato seeds, which assisted in increased sustainability and agricultural productivity.
Construction and remodeling of pilot facilities, laboratories and offices of the Agricultural Science and Technology Institute (ICTA), thereby strengthening its research and technology development capacities.
Capacity development of 1,761 producers of corn, beans, tomatoes, cobanero peppers and cardamom, through training, the provision of inputs and the promotion of sustainable practices, thus improving crop quality and output.
Successful completion of the Post-graduate Specialization in Agricultural Research by 59 students from various regions.
The Technical Cooperation of IICA : Reaping Success
Individuals with an interest in beekeeping in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago were trained in queen bee production, apiary development and hive expansion, and given equipment and specialized tools, thanks to the cooperation of the Institute and the Government of Argentina.
Caribbean Beekeeping
IICA worked with Guyana to develop a marketing plan, which is expected to spur 10% growth in exports to markets within the region (Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, among others) and to Spain and Portugal.
Biofortified Rice
In Honduras, support was provided to national institutions and universities for the genetic improvement of beans and research and training programs were organized for farmers.
Drought-Resistant Beans
In close collaboration with farmers, the Institute fostered improvements in post-harvest management techniques, such as fermentation and drying of cocoa in the Dominican Republic.
High-Quality Cocoa
Along with universities and research centers in Mexico, the Institute promoted the adoption of zinc-rich varieties, with a view to increasing zinc intake in rural areas.
Biofortified Corn
100 bags of white potato seed were sent for trial purposes to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Institute fostered collaboration among the countries to devise phytosanitary protocols, access financing and improve organizational capacities. Through the Caribbean Fund project, a program was also implemented for white potato production and knowledge exchange between personnel from the ministries of Agriculture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica.
White Potato
Saint Lucia recognized the Institute for its leadership in promoting mushroom production. In partnership with The Mushroom Collective and the Ministry of Agriculture, IICA evaluated substrates and techniques for organic waste re-use to create more sustainable mushroom production.
Mushrooms
Territorial Development and Family Farming
Leaders of Rurality of the Americas
An online introductory course on rural development was designed and catalogs were prepared, showcasing the products of rural leaders and family farmers in the Americas, as well as native seeds of Latin America. The approaches of eight leaders were systematized and a virtual assistant on cooperativism was designed.
Mesh Greenhouses for New Salvadorian Coffee
38 500m2 mesh greenhouses, equipped with drip irrigation technology, were imported from China, to revitalize El Salvador’s coffee resources by improving coffee cultivation conditions, protecting the plants from adverse climate factors and optimizing the use of water, which is a key resource in improving agricultural production and income distribution in rural areas.
With the support of:
Poultry Production in Grenada
Distribution of broiler chickens and layer chicks, as well as feed, in support of the Ministry of Agriculture’s strategy to increase poultry production.
Beneficiaries
14 small farmers
6 residents of Carriacou
Latin American Seminar “Towards Market-oriented Family Farming”
This event held in Bolivia, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), facilitated the sharing of experiences and presentation of methodologies to improve family farming outcomes.
Haiti
Food insecurity in La Gonâve was reduced with the implementation of Phase II of the “Food Vulnerability Reduction on La Gonave Island” project (USAID-IICA), achieving the following results:
8 000 kits of nutritious food distributed.
1 400 trained in integrated pest management, postharvest management and goat rearing.
4 000 families benefited.
670 attended conferences on nutrition.
The World Bank-funded “Emergency Resilient Agriculture for Food Security (PARSA)” project, executed in collaboration with the Group for Inclusion, Research and Development Support of Haiti (GIRADEL), resulted in the following:
0
0
agronomists and four department coordinators enhanced their production capacities, with a view to providing support to livestock farmers.
People received resilient technical packages in three departments of the Grand Sud and the IPC3 and IPC4 communes of Central - one of Haiti’s departments.
Honduras
Technological Productive Subsidy (BTP)
Coffee Subsidy
Livestock Subsidy
The subsidy benefitted more than 343,000 producers of basic grains, such as beans and corn. IICA helped to streamline the administrative direction of the program and provided technical assistance in the oversight of the inputs, fertilizers and pesticides. It also improved the technological components of the program, including the web platform and mobile app, which facilitated processes to centralize the information and to track payments. This ensured greater efficiency in managing the resources and ensuring the availability of basic food. The project was executed in collaboration with the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) and the Directorate of Agricultural Science and Technology (DICTA).
Overall, 97,549 small-scale coffee farmers benefitted from the provision of 20 million coffee plants to rehabilitate 7,000 manzanas (approximately 4,900 acres) in the coffee areas of the country. The Institute trained more than 30,000 farmers in production- and trade-related issues, through the coffee schools. IICA also facilitated the distribution of phytosanitary kits to 3,000 farmers and supported the establishment of 30 environmental organizations, thus contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector.
In total, 25,706 livestock farmers benefitted from the genetic improvement and use of improved grasses. The Institute also provided technical capacity building and distributed improved grass seeds and electrical fences. Furthermore, it assisted in the development of 50 small-scale milk processors, by upgrading their facilities and equipment. IICA was also instrumental in creating the Livestock Reproduction Center at Universidad de Catacamas, Olancho, which will contribute to the training and development of workers in the livestock sector.
Suriname
The Institute improved the country’s water supply and increased the efficiency of its irrigation systems, with the support of the Direct Aid Program (DAP) of Australia.
40 rain catchment systems installed in indigenous and maroon communities.
160 beneficiaries during the dry season.
2 micro-irrigation and mixed cultivation systems installed in Sipaliwini.
35 farmers trained in sustainable agricultural practices.
International Trade and Regional Integration
Strengthening Market Information Systems
As the Technical Secretariat of the Market Information Organization of the Americas (MIOA), IICA fostered transparency and access to reliable information on agricultural markets.
12 information exchanges conducted to share best practices on data collection, analysis and dissemination
860 people reached throughout the region
18,366 views on social media
12 newsletters prepared
25 news clippings and information capsules prepared
6 capacity-building activities conducted on price analysis and market intelligence
Virtual Business Roundtable of the Agrifood Chains of Latin America and the Caribbean
In conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and regional integration organizations.
0
participating companies
The Ninth and Tenth Editions of the Virtual Business Roundtables
USD
0
in tentative business deals
0
USD
in tentative business deals
Fourth Edition of the Virtual Caribbean Business Roundtable
0
companies establishing connections
Resilient Agriculture
COP29
At the Twenty-Ninth Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Azerbaijan, the Institute installed its agricultural pavilion for the third consecutive year, which helped to position the importance of the region as a guarantor of global food security.
It also promoted agricultural solutions in the Americas, the strengthening of sustainable production, climate financing for the sector and the increased prominence of countries in agro-environmental negotiations.
In collaboration with The Ohio State University and Dr. Rattan Lal - the project’s principal advisor - IICA spearheaded this initiative, which has played a pivotal role in compiling data on soils and carbon in the region.
Support provided to the C-Farm project, headed by Dr. Rattan Lal, which seeks to develop effective strategies for carbon management in agricultural soils.
Living Soils of the Americas
According to the study "Carbon Farming in the Living Soils of the Americas":
The adoption of best practices on 30% of agricultural land in the region could lead to soil sequestration of up to 13.1 Pg COâ‚‚eq over twenty years, thus offsetting approximately 39% of emissions in the sector.
The project’s findings have been disseminated in a podcast of more than 20 episodes, thereby expanding knowledge on the importance of soils for food security and climate action.
Hemispheric Fund for Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas (FoHRSA)
This innovative initiative was launched at COP29, at the request of the ministers of Agriculture, and seeks to mobilize and manage funds to bolster agrifood system resilience and sustainability, and to assist countries to improve their response to extreme climate events.
Bolstering Local Production and Reducing Imports in El Salvador
Under the “Promoting Reactivation and Agricultural Production for Food Security and Sovereignty in El Salvador” (RECETO) project, the Institute undertook actions to strengthen vegetable production in the highland region of Chalatenango, thereby benefitting small-scale growers of tomatoes, strawberries, chili peppers and onions.
The project spearheaded the installation of greenhouses and drip irrigation systems.
It also introduced innovative technologies, such as ozone use for soil disinfection and water treatment.
Sustainability Standard for Prunes
Sustainability Standard for Dairy Farms
Chilean Sustainability Standards
IICA promoted the implementation of sustainability standards in Chile, such as the Standard for Prunes and the Standard for Dairy Farms, which certify that production practices are environmentally responsible, socially just and financially viable.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Peruvian Rice Sector
IICA enhanced the country’s capacities to implement NDCs in relation to rice cultivation, while devising a strategy to implement them.
Low-emission production models were developed to promote practices to improve water management, reduce chemical residues and optimize fertilizer use.
The activities were conducted in partnership with the ministries of Agricultural Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI), the Environment (MINAM) and Economy and Finance (MEF), along with the global development organization Practical Action.
Emission Reduction Through Accelerated Forestry Financing in Ecuador
The Institute was selected as a financial intermediary of the LEAF Coalition, which authorizes it to manage between USD 10 and 30 million annually, to implement actions under a plan that will benefit indigenous communities and peoples, as well as local governments.
The Bofedales and Highland Ecosystems
+1 400 farmers and technicians were trained in sustainable bofedal management.
Under the “Bofedal es Vida Progam”, actions were jointly implemented with AECID and EUROCLIMA, to assist in preserving these ecosystems, which are vital to camelid production.
​
NAMA Project for Rice in Panama
Agricultural Health and Food Safety
IICA consolidated its leadership in agricultural health and food safety in the Americas, by way of:
0
externally funded projects
+USD
0
invested, representing a 20% increase over 2023
0
key strategic partners
The Intersectoral, Technical Ad Hoc Working Group for Surveillance and Risk Assessment of the Commission for the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Influenza in the Americas (CIPCIZA)
The Institute participated as an expert entity in meetings financed by the Pandemic Fund and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which brought together public health and animal health experts to identify critical points and define strategic actions to diagnose and manage avian influenza risks under an intersectoral approach.
Pest and Disease Prevention and Control
African Swine Fever in Hispaniola
For the first time, field sampling was carried out outside of the island of Hispaniola. Furthermore, samples were collected and analyzed in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and regional agencies.
Fusarium wilt in Bananas in Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Cavendish Formosana banana variety was evaluated in demonstration plots set up in Saint Kitts and Nevis and exhibited a high level of resistance to the disease.
​​
​
_edited.png){kind=small}
Classical Swine Fever in Brazil
-
+600 000 pigs vaccinated against this disease in Alagoas.
-
6 500 beneficiary producers.
-
Actions were executed with health authorities and the private sector.
​
_edited.png){kind=small}
New World Screwworm in Central America
IICA led awareness-raising campaigns on the disease in seven Mesoamerican countries, translating messages into various languages (including indigenous languages). A two-year project improved risk communication, by distributing information material and employing social media and radio (ore than 6,700 information materials distributed), among other actions.
Avian Influenza
The Institute developed a joint proposal with the Safe Supply of Affordable Food for Everyone (SSAFE) initiative and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to prevent and mitigate the spread of avian influenza virus in commercial farms globally, focusing on biosecurity, early notification and rapid response. IICA also identified bottlenecks and key technical cooperation needs in the Southern Cone and Andean region. A regional consensus was reached regarding key challenges and there was collaboration with the private sector to devise a more coordinated response.
Bovine Brucellosis
IICA provided key support in fostering the sharing of experiences between Chile and Spain on the eradication of the disease, through on-site visits and the issuing of specific recommendations by specialists.
_edited.png)
Papaya Crown Rot
The papaya industry in Barbados benefited from the introduction of new varieties resistant to the disease, as well as the development of promotional materials, good practices and farming techniques to optimize papaya production.
Corn Leafhopper
In partnership with the National Service of Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA), the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) and the National Directorate of Agriculture/SAGyP of Argentina, an initiative was launched to strengthen the capacity to prevent and mitigate the impact of this hemipterous insect (Dalbulus maidis) that places the country’s corn production at high risk.
Sweet Potato Weevil
IICA strengthened sustainable sweet potato production in Jamaica and in Antigua and Barbuda, with funding from the FAO, and achieved the following:
-
15 technical specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture trained to monitor the pest (Cylas formicarius Fabricius).
-
+2 000 step in the process to develop a biopesticide based on Beauveria bassiana.
-
With support from the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).
Huanglongbing (HLB) in Oranges
In partnership with Venezuela’s Fundación Servicio para el Agricultor and CABI, a course on biological control of pests and diseases was delivered to 34 participants. Additionally, a regional strategy was developed to manage HLB in the high valleys of Carabobo and Yaracuy, and 136 producers became involved in phytosanitary prevention and control actions.
Xanthomonas Citri or Citrus Canker
The capacities of public officials and businesspeople in Saint Kitts and Nevis were strengthened through exercises simulating actions to prevent the entry of this bacterial disease.
Mexico
In collaboration with the National Service of Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), agricultural health in Mexico was strengthened through five operational programs, with the following results:
34 laboratories in operation
Supervision of verification points in ports, airports and highways
Efforts prevented the entry of more than 1,000 pests and fifty-6 exotic diseases of economic importance
9° largest exporter of agrifood products to more than 160 countries
298 million tons of agricultural, aquaculture and fisheries production
11° largest food producer in the world
One Health
The Institute made progress in integrating efforts in animal, human and environmental health, prioritizing the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), by organizing hemispheric events on that issue and on the One Health approach in Costa Rica and Paraguay. It also held meetings with PAHO in Brazil to update IICA’s Performance, Vision and Strategy (PVS) instrument on food safety.
In collaboration with government entities in Colombia, IICA designed the first National Integrated Program on Antimicrobial Resistance in the Agrifood Chain.
Two specific AMR products were developed:
a) A mobile application that enables animal health authorities to compare veterinary drugs and promote the responsible use of antimicrobials in livestock production.
b) A book on alternative strategies for managing AMR in swine production, prepared with international experts. Moreover, in Jamaica, the Institute made headway in implementing an AMR monitoring system, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Digitalization of Agrifood Systems
An important milestone was the launch of the AgTech Americas platform, an interactive tool that gives visibility to and facilitates the search for agricultural technology startups in the region. It also fosters linkages between innovators, investors and policymakers, which, in turn, furthers the development of the digital agrifood ecosystem.
AgTech Americas Platform
Policy Design
Key technical information for the development of policies that foster digitalization was shared at the Symposium on Digitalization Policies - which was jointly organized with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) - and via the following publications:
“Mapping of Policy Initiatives to Foster the Digitalization of Agrifood Systems 2024” (in Spanish only)
“The AgTech Ecosystem in Central America: State of Affairs and Proposals for its Development” (in Spanish only)
IICA blog articles on artificial intelligence applied to agriculture and digitalization and rural youth
“Digital Transition in Agriculture and Public Policies in Latin America”
​“Use of Remote Sensing in Agricultural Statistics and Reports in Latin America: State of Affairs”
“Droughts in Agriculture: Digital Resources Available to Anticipate their Occurrence and Reduce Impacts in Latin America and the Caribbean” (in Spanish only)
Along with:
Along with:
The third edition of Digital Agriculture Week was a key event for the digital innovation ecosystem. More than 110 delegates attended in person (three times more than in 2023) and each session was viewed nearly 1,000 times.
This edition enabled the Institute to strengthen its position as a key coordination entity for the digitalization of agrifood systems in the region. Canadian startup, Verge Technologie, received recognition for its outstanding artificial intelligence platform that aims to streamline agricultural operations and reduce emissions.
Digital Agriculture Week
Leading Regional Forum
Organized in collaboration with ECLAC, CGIAR, CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and Bayer, the Week included a Pre-Week with four webinars that brought together more than 40 AgTechs, representatives of the academic sector and multilateral organizations, as well as policymakers.
Rural women and youth
Consolidation of the Permanent Forum of Female Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials of Agriculture in the Americas (FOPEMA)
0
+
delegates attended the 5th edition of FOPEMA, including agricultural authorities and representatives of ministries of Women, accompanied by their technical teams, as well as individuals from multilateral agencies, the diplomatic corps in the Member States and female rural leaders from across the region.
0
hours of training was provided to fifteen rural women from nine countries, enabling them to improve their soft skills and knowledge of entrepreneurship, finance, trade and technology.
0
indigenous and mestizo women in Guatemala enhanced their entrepreneurial skills and designed a new handicraft collection, with support from the country’s Federation of Artisan Cooperatives (ARTEXCO) and funding from the U.S. Department of State.
The Institute strengthened its strategic partnerships with the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), the World Bank and CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, prompting an increase in in-person participation at FOPEMA.
Suriname Network of Rural Women Producers (SUNRWP)
With support from the Inter-American Development Group’s Innovation Lab, the network’s capacities were strengthened through the establishment of:
on-site nurseries for seedlings resistant to adverse climatic conditions
micro-irrigation systems
drilled wells in the Kapasikele area of the Brokopondo district
Radio Program: Women, Seeds of Rurality in the Americas
This weekly radio program highlights the crucial role of rural women in community development and food security.
Women leaders were interviewed on a variety of topics, including water, climate resilience and soil management.
0
100 high school students explored opportunities in the agriculture sector and strengthened their connection to food security and the sustainability of the country at the STEM High School Exploration Day, which was organized in collaboration with the Agricultural and Environmental Development Cooperative Society (AGENDEVCO).
In collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Agricultural Development Organization, a climate-smart school garden was set up, which provides preschool to sixth grade students with an introduction to sustainable agriculture.
The Future of Agriculture in The Bahamas
National Achievement
Signing of a
USD 81,852 contract with the Ministry of Economic Development to develop a pilot training program on business management geared towards youth between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four.
In collaboration with the ministries of Agriculture and Education, launch of the first Agri-Innovation Contest for Elementary Schools, with the aim of inspiring younger generations, eliminating stigmas associated with agriculture and positioning it as a key, sustainable industry.
Barbados
Training of young people in aquaculture and livestock breeding.
Belize
Dominica
Establishment of three school gardens, training of 55 people in agricultural sustainability and organization of the Youth in Agriculture Symposium, with the support of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Saint Lucia
Uruguay
Training of
more than 700 rural women in climate action and green recovery, in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) of Uruguay.
Youth Talent Program
The Institute transformed its traditional internship program into the AgriTalent of the Americas Program. It welcomed 77 youth, 80% of whom took part in various technical cooperation actions at Headquarters, while the remaining 20% collaborated with the IICA Delegations in the member countries.
Institutional Relations and Project Management
Active initiatives with 257 counterpart agencies at the global level, enabling the Institute to be a key player in facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Distribution of Various Legal Instruments in 2024
An extensive number of legal instruments enabled IICA to formalize and strengthen its strategic partnerships. These included 43 general agreements, 118 technical cooperation agreements, 111 addenda to previous agreements, 16 contracts and 86 other legal instruments of varying types.
Distribution of Partners According to Type of Organization in 2024
In 2024, approximately 46% of IICA’s partners were public sector entities, followed by academic and research centers, representing 19%, and private sector entities, accounting for 14%. The remaining partnerships were with civil society organizations, financial entities and multilateral organizations at the global, regional and international levels.
This partnership effort was supported by and benefitted from the development of 77 projects and concept notes, aimed at mobilizing USD 407.4 million in response to international calls for proposals, regional calls, national invitations and expressions of interest. Twenty percent of this amount was successfully negotiated, including the following, which are worth noting:
Honduras and Guyana
​
These countries will execute
USD 18.7 million that was negotiated with the European Union for forestry conservation and management.
_edited.png)
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
​
The Institute has prioritized a portfolio of eight initiatives with the Fund for the 2025- 2031 period, valuing USD 250 million. Approval was granted for two new readiness proposals valued at USD 655,680. Moreover, a concept note that the Institute prepared for Ecuador was also approved.
Hemispheric Initiative on Water and Agriculture
8 projects employing nature-based solutions (NbS) were implemented in Guyana, Uruguay, Paraguay, Panama, Chile and Honduras, capitalizing on pre-investment opportunities for water management. A shared work agenda was developed in collaboration with the IDB, CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, seeking to mobilize external resources.
Brazil: a Growing Cooperation Agenda
IICA expanded its network of national and international partners. It collaborated in the implementation of projects with 12 federal ministries, with funding from global organizations such as the IDB, the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Five new projects were approved and six ongoing projects were reviewed, thus bringing the initiatives that are underway in the country to 35, addressing key areas such as sustainability, low-carbon agriculture, food security, bioeconomy and digitalization.
One noteworthy initiative that was launched was the “Vertentes” project, which is unded by the World Bank to the tune of USD 24.5 million. The project aims to rehabilitate degraded landscapes in the Cerrado biome, benefitting more than 10,000 people and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 19,800,000 tons.
Corporate Management
Budget and Finances
For the sixth consecutive year, the financial statements received a clean opinion in the report of the external auditors – a clear reflection of the effective management of the organization.
The financial situation continues to improve, due to the collection of quotas to fund the budget and the payment of quotas for previous years. The business model and the strategy to strengthen the financial architecture has borne fruit, generating a surplus cash flow for the organization. Furthermore, with the support of the governing bodies, IICA established the FoHRSA as another alternative to provide Member States with resources to address their cooperation needs.
Administrative Efficiency, Digitalization and Transparency
Regulations
Digitalization
Process Optimization
IICA CONECTA
Updating of the “Staff Rules”, with the approval of the Executive Committee, as well as the “Personnel Manual”, thus assisting the Institute to modernize its human talent management.
Implementation of the:
-
Integrated Management System (SIG) in Mexico and Honduras.
-
Human Talent and Payroll System at Headquarters.
-
Asset Control System in Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, in addition to the Travel and Management Systems applications.
-
Updating of the programming, monitoring and evaluation modules of the Unified Institutional Management System (SUGI).
The El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Paraguay delegations streamlined their main administrative processes. Headquarters introduced a new digital telephone technology application, eliminating the use of physical handsets.
The launch of this strategic intelligence solution enhanced transparency in the organization, offering all users real-time internet access to the complete agenda of the Institute.
Strategies and Organizational Design
Institutional Processes and Strategic Planning
Updating of several institutional macroprocesses, including the mapping of the technical cooperation process, which now includes thirteen macroprocesses that define the strategic, operational and support activities of the Institute. As part of this effort, a “Process-based Management” course was developed in Spanish and English, to support the adoption of these concepts by the staff and to build capacities in this area.
Risk Management
IICA assisted countries to maintain their risk matrices up to date by implementing the Risk Management System: Governance, Secretariat, Classification and Training. This proactive approach includes managing labor-related and occupational health risks.
Institutional Macroprocesses
The annual programming, monitoring, evaluation and learning exercises guided the development of 413 initiatives, which determined the work agenda of the more than 70 technical and administrative teams and the individual plans of the more than 500 staff members throughout the hemisphere.
Human Talent
The updating of the “Staff Rules”, the “Rules of Procedure of the General Directorate”, the “Personnel Manual” and the “Code of Ethics” were instrumental in improving internal governance.
15 employees obtained certification for institutional courses on trade strategies, public policy and projects.
The internal communication section, which was established during the year, facilitated interaction among the different teams, with the circulation of 105 messages to the entire staff.
IICA of Open Doors
The Institute began the process to remodel the United States Meeting Room, a place for the most senior authorities in agriculture in the hemisphere to come together.
The IICA office in Costa Rica was recognized as a carbon neutral organization for the third consecutive year and recognized for the fifth year by the Blue Flag Ecological Program.
Noteworthy Events
International Traditional Foods and Tourism Fair
National Robotics Olympiad
IICA - NI Challenge
Minecraft Education Challenge
Knowledge Management
Alliance of Agricultural Information Services (SIDALC)
130 agriculture sector institutions in thirty-one countries.
3 885 636 shared resources, 97.4% of which are free-access digital material.
Its knowledge resources increased 19% in comparison to 2023 and were organized into categories such as journal articles, bibliographies, research data, courses and professional profiles.
Public Policy Observatory for Agrifood Systems (OPSAa)
The observatory has become one of the main sources of key information for prospective analyses and strategic discussions on public policies for the sustainable development of agrifood systems.
198 000
visits, positioning it as a leading reference source for decision making and a catalyst for the transition towards a new generation of public policies.
94%
more records and 136% increase in users.
Leadership School for the Transformation of Agrifood Systems of the Americas (ELTSA)
The Institute developed management protocols for ELTSA, devising a strategy based on collaboration with agrifood educational institutions to offer practical tools and specialized knowledge to build technical capacities in the agrifood sector of the Americas.
El Salvador
70 young people were trained in the use of innovative and resilient agricultural technologies, such as agroforestry systems and sustainable agriculture, in association with Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
United States
A seminar was organized for agricultural attaches accredited to the Organization of American States (OAS) and for private sector representatives, focusing on the sustainable growth of agricultural productivity in the Americas.
bottom of page