BRASILIA, Brazil — Muhammad Ibrahim, the newly elected Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), has outlined his vision for the next five years, emphasizing the integration of science, technology, and innovation to address the pressing challenges faced by farmers and nations across the Americas. Elected with an overwhelming majority by the ministers of agriculture attending the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA) meeting in Brasilia, Ibrahim, a seasoned Guyanese agronomist with 35 years of international management experience, will officially assume his role on January 15, 2026, succeeding Argentinian Manuel Otero.
In his acceptance speech, Ibrahim expressed his gratitude and commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity across all regions of the hemisphere. He highlighted the critical juncture at which IICA finds itself, grappling with fragmented agrifood systems, agricultural trade complexities, rising food demand, environmental threats, and the vulnerability of family farming sectors. ‘IICA is well-positioned to collaborate with its partners and member states to transform agriculture into a driving force for prosperity,’ he asserted.
Ibrahim’s strategy includes bolstering IICA’s technical capacities in science, technology, and innovation, leveraging modern tools to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. He stressed the importance of fostering investments to modernize agrifood systems and improve the economic viability of small-scale farmers. With a robust academic background, including an MSc from CATIE in Costa Rica and a PhD from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, Ibrahim brings a wealth of expertise in forging partnerships and mobilizing resources to drive impactful change.