International Atomic Energy Agency and IICA agree on joint actions to accelerate agricultural transformation in the Americas

Buenos Aires, 26 April 2023 (IICA) - The directors general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Rafael Grossi and Manuel Otero, respectively, held a virtual meeting in which they agreed to increase collaboration between the two agencies to generate a positive impact in areas such as plant and animal health, for the benefit of Latin American and Caribbean countries and global food security.
 
During the meeting, directors Grossi and Otero, both of whom are Argentine nationals, discussed areas in which cooperation can be strengthened, which are primarily related to specific diseases or pests, such as the Fusarium fungus or the screwworm, as well as technological innovations. Other areas highlighted were knowledge-intensive agriculture and the role of science and innovation for agricultural and rural development.
 
“Nuclear technology contributes to sustainable agriculture and food security. I am delighted to have been able to meet with Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, with whom I have agreed to strengthen collaboration between the IAEA and IICA for the benefit of Latin American countries”, remarked Grossi after the meeting.
 
“We agreed to intensify contact between our technical teams and to sign an agreement based on concrete and verifiable actions, possibly in July. It was a very pleasant meeting between two Argentine directors general who project their country’s image at the international and regional levels. Rafael Grossi conducts substantial work at the international level, and through its work in the hemisphere, IICA is also seeking to bolster international recognition of the region’s crucial role for food security”, noted Otero.
 
The IAEA and IICA have been collaborating and exchanging information since at least 2007, with a view to addressing new challenges related to food security.
 
One area of cooperation will be combating the Tropical Race 4 (TR4) fusarium wilt disease, which seriously threatens global banana production. With the support of IICA, the IAEA recently trained scientists from six Latin American countries in using nuclear and related techniques to detect and contain the disease.
 
The IAEA assists Member States in Latin America and the Caribbean in the prevention and progressive control of the screwworm, which causes a parasitic infestation of the body that affects animals and humans. The most devastating effect is on livestock production, through mortality and reduced milk and meat yield.

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