Manuel Otero, Director General, met in Asunción with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Paraguay, In Shik Woo
Asunción, 18 March 2022 (IICA) – In Asunción, the Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Manuel Otero, met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Paraguay, In Shik Woo, to explore synergies for fostering technological innovation and development in Latin American and Caribbean agriculture.
Over the last 50 years, South Korea has undergone huge transformations, with food production a key factor in the process. The country went from producing insufficient food to generating a food surplus, and the authorities are now seeking to share the experience with the international community, working primarily on increased competitiveness, the development of environmentally friendly agriculture, the well-being of farmers, and the dissemination of technologies.
At the end of the meeting, South Korea’s Ambassador to Paraguay said, “We know that IICA has played a crucial role in the development of Latin American agriculture, and we recognize its role in community development. We look forward to strengthening our relationship.”
Furthermore, he recalled that the Korea International Cooperation Agency had played a key role in his country’s agriculture. “We want to bring that knowhow to other developing countries like Paraguay, and we are delighted with what is being achieved.”
During the meeting, Otero stressed how important it was for IICA to having a partner like Korea to boost agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially for the incorporation of technology into rural communities and support for small farmers.
“The meeting underlined the importance of having a strategic partner like South Korea and confirmed that they regard IICA as a vital element in supporting and implementing actions for the benefit of family farmers,” Otero remarked, emphasizing the issues of research and technology transfer.
“We are always thinking about future actions with family farmers, the use of technologies to improve farmers’ quality of life and profitability. It is a focus with all our strategic partners, and especially with South Korea,” the Director General of IICA observed.
Otero led an official mission of the Institute to Paraguay, where he was received by the President, Mario Abdo, and the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Santiago Bertoni. Foreign Minister Euclides Acevedo also presented him with the ‘Don José Falcón’ National Order of Merit for his ‘contribution to global food solidarity and deep affection for Latin America.’
The IICA Director General’s mission included the launching of innovative programs that will mainly benefit Paraguayan family farmers, promoting associative enterprises and the incorporation of technologies and knowhow.
Otero also met with Paraguay’s Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, César Ariel Oviedo Verdún, the Minister in charge of the National Tourism Secretariat (SENATUR), Sofía Montiel, and the Minister for Industry and Commerce, Luis Alberto Castiglioni. In addition, the Director General was honored at a ceremony organized by the Rector of the National University of Asunción, Zully Vera de Molinas.
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