thebahamasweekly.com - Call by The Representative Of The IICA Country Office On The Minister Of Foreign Affairs

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Call by The Representative Of The IICA Country Office On The Minister Of Foreign Affairs
By Ministry of Foreign Affairs
May 19, 2021 - 9:30:19 AM

IICA_Representative_to_The_Bahamas_Mari_Dunleavy_and_Minister_Darren_Henfield_1_.jpg

BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise that Representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to The Bahamas, Mari Dunleavy, made a courtesy call on the Hon. Darren A. Henfield, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, 17th May 2021, and at the same time presented her Letter of Appointment from Dr. Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA.

The Minister and Representative discussed various ways that IICA would be able to assist The Bahamas along the path toward sustainable agriculture. Ms. Dunleavy conveyed IICA’s keen interest in supporting the Bahamian economy through various means, including seed funding for small farmers and training on international food safety requirements. The Minister sought further insight of the agri-technology and agri-statistics available through IICA. Both the Minister and Representative identified agribusiness and agritourism as necessary steps toward self-sustainability.

The Minister expressed a desire to showcase the various career pathways that may stem from agribusiness and its interconnection with the tourism industry. In this regard, the Representative of IICA stated that prior to the declaration of a pandemic in March 2020, IICA met with the executive director of cruise line association and discussed ways to incorporate more sustainable development in that market. She informed that IICA is also on the agritourism council formed by Tourism Development Cooperation (TDC).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources and other relevant agencies will work together to shed light on both the public and personal benefits of producing and consuming locally sources ingredients.