AGRA and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have announced a new phase in their partnership to promote sustainable agriculture across Africa and the Americas. The aim is to support inclusive growth in farming, protect the environment and improve food systems.
In a press statement released by AGRA, the two organisations said they plan to deepen their technical cooperation. This move builds on nearly four years of working together under a South-South partnership that started with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2021.
The renewed plan responds to increased interest from countries in both regions. Many governments are asking for stronger collaboration to help improve public and private agricultural institutions, share technical knowledge, strengthen food security, promote sustainable farming practices, and support agricultural trade.
AGRA and IICA are bringing together their unique strengths. AGRA focuses on transforming smallholder farming in Africa by working with governments, private companies, civil society, and farmers. IICA, as a leading agricultural agency in the Americas, supports rural development through high-quality international technical cooperation.
Together, the two organisations will cooperate in several key areas. These include improving the quality of life for rural communities, increasing farm productivity and trade between countries, helping farmers adapt to climate change, and encouraging the use of environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, said this renewed partnership is a strong example of how regions can work together to build a better future for food and farming. “This South-South partnership between AGRA and IICA is a powerful signal of inter-regional solidarity and shared ambition,” she said.
“At a time when global food systems are under immense strain, collaboration across continents is not just strategic but very essential. By uniting our expertise and resources with IICA, we are laying the foundation for more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems that benefit smallholder farmers and rural communities across both regions,” she added.
Dr. Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, also praised the partnership as an important step for South-South cooperation. He said that Africa and the Americas face similar challenges and opportunities in agriculture, and this partnership allows both regions to learn from each other and work faster toward rural development and sustainable trade.
He explained that this partnership will help introduce and expand regenerative tropical agriculture, which is key to solving urgent challenges in Africa and beyond.
“Africa is home to 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and 10% of the world’s renewable water resources. This enormous agricultural and environmental potential offers a unique opportunity to integrate the continent into the global supply chain, positioning it as a key player in food production,” he said.
This collaboration also builds on several high-level meetings and initiatives. These include the Africa-Americas Joint Ministerial Summit held in Costa Rica in July 2022, the Inter-regional Ministerial Roundtable in Vietnam in 2023 co-organised by AGRA, IICA, FAA, and Grow Asia, and the Africa Living Soils Initiative launched in Kenya in 2024 ahead of the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit.
During the Kenya event, a letter of intent was signed to promote the exchange of 30 researchers from African countries. These researchers, from science institutions, universities, and government agencies, will take part in programs to share knowledge and technology related to food security, regenerative agriculture and restoring degraded land.
This expanded partnership between AGRA and IICA is a clear sign of growing efforts to support sustainable agriculture and rural development. By working together, the two regions are creating stronger, climate-smart food systems that are good for people, economies and the planet.
