Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, an accomplished Guyanese agronomist, officially commenced his tenure as Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on January 15. His election by agriculture ministers from 32 member nations positions him to lead the organization through the 2026-2030 term, succeeding Argentina’s Manuel Otero who completed two consecutive mandates.
The inauguration ceremony at IICA’s headquarters in San José, Costa Rica, gathered government ministers, international organization representatives, and senior officials from across the Western Hemisphere. Ibrahim’s assumption of leadership marks a significant transition for the institute, which has undergone substantial transformation under Otero’s guidance since 2018.
During his predecessor’s administration, IICA implemented sweeping reforms that integrated scientific innovation and technological solutions into cooperative programming, directly benefiting an estimated 10 million farmers and rural inhabitants throughout the Americas. The organization has solidified its role as the principal technical authority on agricultural and rural development, facilitating coordinated policy positions among member states in global forums.
Ibrahim brings exceptional qualifications to his new role, holding a doctorate in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His professional trajectory includes thirty-five years of extensive experience across multiple American nations, with a proven record of establishing productive networks between governments, private enterprises, and international partners.
His immediate priorities include strengthening agricultural development through applied research and technological implementation, while expanding IICA’s capacity to attract investments aimed at transforming agrifood systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on enhancing economic sustainability for small-scale farming operations throughout the region.
Ibrahim’s previous leadership role as Director General of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) demonstrated his expertise in forging partnerships, mobilizing resources, and advancing sustainable natural resource management. His educational background includes distinguished degrees from the University of Guyana and CATIE, complemented by his doctoral studies at one of the world’s premier academic institutions.