Belice supports IICA in its development of actions to support hemispheric agriculture
Belmopan, 21 March 2018 (IICA). Entities related to Belize’s agriculture sector contributed to the preparation of the 2018-2022 Medium-term Plan (MTP) of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), which will guide the work conducted by this international organization for the benefit of local agriculture.
The consultation process was carried out by means of an online survey sent to stakeholders as well as a roundtable discussion at the IICA Delegation in Belize with the participation of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economic Development.
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority, the Pesticides Control Board, the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Citrus and Banana Growers Association, the University of Belize, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre in Belize, the Livestock Producers Association, and the International Regional Organization for Plant Protection and Animal Health (OIRSA) were some of the entities that participated in this process.
The stakeholders identified the main topics on which IICA’s work should focus, highlighting climate change mitigation, which includes water management and climate-smart agricultural practices; the development of agribusinesses and SMEs in particular; the inclusion of women and youth in agriculture; and rural and economic development.
The participants also identified different areas in which IICA could provide cooperation. They suggested that IICA could assist in the establishment of public and private partnerships as well as in the development of policy proposals and strategies; spearhead studies and research; foster collaboration with emphasis on financial administration, project concept development and project management; and create information and knowledge networks.
IICA Technical Specialist Willie Chan stated that the contributions by participants would benefit the preparation of the plan, as well as guide the development of the country strategy for Belize.
Jose Novelo, Program Coordinator and Projects Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration (MAFFESDI), stated that climate change was a key topic. “IICA should retrofit the strategies based on their effects, and should help us to address water management concerns,” he stated.
The Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, stated that the participants’ recommendations would be crucial in the development of a road map aimed at meeting country needs.
“When we understand the way our countries think and what their priorities are, we are able to efficiently target and distribute our resources, while working together to address national demands. This process guarantees IICA’s institutional strengthening moving forward,” he stated.
On the other hand, Diego Montenegro, Director of Management and Regional Integration of IICA, stated that the participatory preparation of the new MTP began with an internal consultation process involving Institute personnel. The second phase consists of a broad consultation process with counterparts that work with IICA’s Delegations.
“In addition to the consultation processes currently underway in each of the Member States, we have identified the Delegations that work closely with the regional integration mechanisms, and have requested their input in order to develop the MTP’s regional scope,” he stated.
This consultation process will be replicated in all other IICA Member States, to ensure that each country’s vision is taken into account in the preparation of national and regional plans.
More information:
Gabriel Rodríguez, Representative of the IICA Delegation in Belize