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For almost forty years, Canada has been a leading member and contributor to IICA and a committed player in IICA’s institutional reforms and in fostering evolution in technical cooperation for agriculture in LAC. Canada’s official representatives to IICA play key roles on the Board and Executive Committee. This proactive participation has permitted Canada to position itself as a leader in the hemisphere and to give the country both presence and influence in LAC. In partnership with IICA, departments and agencies such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have been able to share Canada’s experiences in the modernization of agricultural organizations, in the development of comprehensive agricultural and agri-environmental policies, and in the creation of world-renowned food inspection programs. IICA also works to bring leading international experience to Canada.
Canadian private-sector organizations and academics are also taking advantage of Canada’s membership in IICA and of IICA’s position as trusted broker in the hemisphere. An example of this is Pulse Canada, representing Canadian pulse producers, that has been working with IICA for several years to strengthen ties with Mexican counterparts in issues related to trade and research. This initiative has already provided favourable results to Canadian trade. This has also been demonstrated through work done with Canadian agricultural consultants from CCAA to provide guidance in modernization and integration processes to private extension consultants in Chile.
As Canada’s policy for renewed engagement in the Americas comes on stream, IICA and its network of 34 countries stand ready to serve as the country’s natural conduit for promoting development in agriculture and rural communities. IICA offers strategic focus, internationally recognized transparent and accountable governance, management structures, and the technical expertise to bring a multiplier effect to Canada’s engagement in the agriculture and rural life of LAC.
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February 22, 1972 |
Canada signed the Instrument of Accession to the Convention on the Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences, first opened for signature at the Pan American Union on January 15, 1944. |
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October 1982 |
IICA’s Program Budget for 1983 was approved, along with the Medium Term Plan, in which the establishment of an Office in Canada was proposed. |
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October 1983 |
IICA Office in Canada is formally declared open in Ottawa with Dr. Lyndon McLaren as Representative . |
| January 1996 |
IICA Canada launched its Internship and Expertise Program. | |
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| 1983-1986 |
Dr. Lyndon McLaren |
Jamaica |
| 1987-1994 |
Dr. Ernani Fiori |
Brazil |
| 1995-2002 |
Dr. Mario Seixas |
Brazil |
| 2002-2003 |
Dr. Larry Boone |
United States |
| 2004-2010 |
Dr. Michael Bedoya |
Mexico |
| 2010-Present |
Dr. Audia Barnett |
Jamaica | |
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Recent focus and interest of the Canadian Government in LAC has set the stage for cooperation in the Americas. Additionally, the international funding agencies, including the Canadian organizations, have recognized the key role of agriculture and rural development in the international goals of food security, poverty reduction and economic growth. This has been enhanced by the successful results in several countries in Latin America such as Brazil and Mexico which have reduced the poverty indicators, increased food security, and fostered economic growth. These improvements together with agricultural research in these countries have also intensified the interest of the Canadian Government agencies involved in trade, agricultural research and rural development, as well as the Canadian academic institutions and private organizations. This presents a window of opportunity for IICA Canada to improve its role to facilitate access to knowledge between Canada and LAC and the access to Canadian funds in mutually beneficial partnerships. |
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This new role of IICA Canada as a facilitator is based on a detailed knowledge of the priorities identified by Canadian agencies which will serve to improve the alignment of the proposals, and of the requirements to ensure compliance. This knowledge will enable other IICA member countries to align their proposals to meet all the requirements and increase the rate of success in attracting funds.
Some of these agencies strongly support joint partnership agreements with Canadian institutions. IICA Canada can provide a key support to IICA member countries through its mutually beneficial partnerships with knowledgeable, trustworthy Canadian agencies or institutions interested in working with IICA in these countries. Canada has a great potential in the development of these relationships as there are many institutions and agencies to be explored. Among these are those that belong to the provincial governments and to the private sector. | |
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