University of Florida - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)
The primary objective of this partnership is for the development of cooperative efforts between the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the University of Florida - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) which will enhance the academic, professional and technical interchange between the two institutions. Recognizing the importance of mutual collaboration and the contributions of society made by institutions of higher education and developmental pursuits, the parties desire to promote exchange between the faculty, scientific staff, scholars and students of the two institutions as well as the exchange of academic, technical and research information.
Objectives:
(a) Jointly contribute to the sustainable development of agricultural and rural spaces, in general, and the economic viability of selected industries and enterprises, in the Americas, particularly but not limited to the Caribbean and Central America.
(b) Coordinate the programmes of work of both organizations to the extent possible so as to create the synergies with the aim being to forge a logical and cohesive framework for agricultural development in the Caribbean.
(c) Foster linkages and transfer relevant information, technology and skills between IICA and IFAS.
(d) Establish a framework and legal basis for specific Agreements, Operating Contracts or Letters of Understanding that may arise in the future from shared concerns, or in response to proposals for collaboration by either Party.
Areas of Cooperation:
The areas of cooperation contribute to the achievement of the objectives and emphasis will be placed on advancing the following Strategic Priority Areas:
1. Contribute to the repositioning and modernization of the agriculture and rural life on the Agendas of Development of the countries of the Americas.
2. Promotion of trade and the competitiveness of the agricultural agri-business.
3. Strengthening of the rural communities under a territorial approach.
4. Promotion of agricultural health and food safety.
5. Promotion of the sustainable management of the Natural Resources and the Environment.
6. Promotion of the incorporation of the technology and the innovation of the modernization of agriculture and the rural development.
Press Release:
UF and IICA Formalize Cooperative Agreement