Guyana, IICA in Celebrate 83 Years of Agricultural Partnership
October 7, 2025: Guyana has joined with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in commemorating the organization’s 83rd anniversary, reaffirming its longstanding partnership in advancing agricultural innovation and food security across the region.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, met with IICA’s Country Representative in Guyana, Mr. Wilmot Garnet, as part of the global celebrations marking the milestone.
The meeting highlighted the close collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and IICA over the years, particularly in strengthening Guyana’s agricultural capacity through technical support and innovation-driven initiatives.
One of the most notable outcomes of this partnership was the 2023 launch of the GRDB-IICA-17 — a zinc-enriched, bio-fortified rice variety developed in collaboration with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). The breakthrough variety was the first of its kind in the Caribbean Region, representing a major step toward improving nutrition and sustainable food production.
Minister Mustapha also noted that the Ministry continues to work with IICA on transforming the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) into a Regional Centre of Excellence.
The upgraded institution will feature cutting-edge technology, including a situational room and a state-of-the-art data analytics platform, aimed at supporting research, innovation, and regional food security efforts.
For over eight decades, IICA has played a vital role in helping countries across the Americas modernize their food systems through technical cooperation, innovation, and equity.
The Institute has built a strong network of experts and partners committed to sustainable agricultural development and resilience in the face of global challenges.
As Guyana and IICA celebrate this significant milestone, both institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to transforming agriculture in the Americas—ensuring food security, promoting sustainability, and empowering farmers for generations to come.
