SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica — Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, an accomplished Guyanese agronomist, will officially assume the role of Director General at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on Thursday, January 15. His inauguration marks a significant leadership transition for the specialized agency dedicated to agricultural development and rural well-being across the Americas.
Elected through a democratic process in November by agriculture ministers representing 32 member nations, Ibrahim will succeed Argentina’s Manuel Otero during a formal swearing-in ceremony at IICA’s headquarters in Costa Rica. Otero completed two consecutive terms characterized by substantial institutional transformation since his initial appointment in January 2018.
During Otero’s tenure, IICA underwent comprehensive restructuring that positioned science and technology as central pillars of its technical cooperation initiatives. These revitalized programs have directly impacted approximately 10 million farmers and rural stakeholders throughout the region, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
The institute solidified its role as the Americas’ premier technical authority on agricultural and rural development, facilitating unprecedented regional collaboration. This coordinated approach enabled member governments and producer organizations to present unified positions in critical international forums, effectively advocating for agricultural interests and positioning farming as essential to addressing global challenges.
Ibrahim, who holds a doctorate in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University, has outlined an ambitious vision for his 2026-2030 term. He pledges to harness cutting-edge research and emerging technologies to strengthen agricultural systems across all American nations. Central to his strategy is expanding IICA’s initiatives to drive investment toward transforming agrifood systems and improving economic viability for agricultural enterprises, with particular emphasis on supporting small-scale farmers.