brazil Ready to Collaborate with IICA on Agricultural Development in the Americas
During a visit to the Inter-American institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Headquarters, Cleber Soares, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil, expressed Brazil’s commitment to working with IICA to address agricultural challenges and opportunities in the Americas. Soares praised IICA executive Director Manuel Otero’s understanding of the region’s agricultural landscape.
Sharing brazil’s Agricultural Success story
Brazil has transformed itself from a net importer of food to a global agricultural powerhouse in a matter of decades,driven by investments in research and technology that have significantly enhanced productivity and sustainability. This transformation serves as a potential model for other nations in the Americas.
Bridging the Gap Between Producers
Soares emphasized the importance of strengthening connections between major food-producing countries like Brazil and those that rely heavily on imports, especially in Central America and the Caribbean. A key focus is integrating small farmers into the modern agricultural landscape.
“A critical task is incorporating new technologies to enhance the sustainability of agriculture and add value,” Soares stated. “producers need to improve farm management, understanding not only what to produce but also how to effectively sell, distribute, and procure inputs. Adapting to climate change and addressing emerging agricultural health issues, such as the resurgence of plant and animal diseases, are also crucial.IICA plays a vital role in the eradication and control of these diseases, wich do not respect borders.”
Access to Finance and Insurance
The Brazilian Deputy Minister highlighted the critical need for improved access to credit and agricultural insurance for small-scale producers across the continent.
“Without credit, it’s unachievable for producers, especially small farmers, to thrive,” he explained. “Agricultural insurance is equally crucial, particularly in tropical regions, to protect producers against production losses.”
More information:
Institutional Dialogue Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int
Worth a look