A delegation from the Federative Republic of Brazil, led by Vice Minister of Agriculture Cleber Soares, and a delegation from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), headed by its Director General Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, today participated in a working lunch hosted by the World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG).
The working lunch was chaired by WTCG Executive Director Wesley Kirton, who welcomed the distinguished guests and facilitated wide-ranging discussions on the opportunities and challenges confronting modern agriculture.
Among the key issues examined were strategies for addressing the aging agricultural workforce and attracting younger generations to careers in agriculture. Participants emphasized the need to make agriculture more appealing through innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and improved access to markets.
The discussions also focused on the transformative role of science and technology in agriculture, including the growing application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and precision agriculture techniques to improve productivity, sustainability and resilience. Other areas explored included logistics and transportation challenges, market access opportunities, compliance with food safety and phytosanitary standards, cultivation best practices, and the selection of suitable crop varieties, livestock breeds and seed stock.
The impact of climate change on agricultural production and food security was also a major area of focus, with participants exchanging views on adaptation strategies and the importance of regional and international cooperation in building resilient agricultural systems.
The meeting further explored opportunities for future collaboration between IICA and WTCG following the signing earlier today of an agreement between IICA and the Government of Guyana. Both organisations expressed an interest in working together on initiatives that support agricultural development, trade facilitation, innovation and capacity building.
Discussions also highlighted private sector investments in agriculture, including the dairy farm being established by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) at Moblissa and the juice production operations of DDL subsidiary TOPCO. These ventures were cited as examples of efforts to strengthen Guyana’s agro-processing sector, reduce import dependence and create new economic opportunities.
The working lunch underscored the importance of partnerships among governments, international organisations, and the private sector in advancing agricultural transformation and food security throughout the region.
