Rosario, Argentina, 6 August 2026 (IICA) – Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining of Jamaica, made an important visit to Argentina during which he advanced agreements to deepen trade and cooperation for the benefit of agriculture in his country and the entire Caribbean region.
The trip was organized in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), as part of the annual fair hosted by the Argentine Association of Direct Seeding Producers (AAPRESID), a benchmark association for the establishment of linkages between science and agricultural innovation.
“This was a strategic and very productive trip, because we are building bridges and strengthening ties between Jamaica and Latin America. Together with our partners at IICA, we view Argentina as a vehicle for achieving mutual benefits for the agriculture sector,” remarked Green in Rosario, a city located in the heart of Argentina’s productive region and an important agro-industrial hub.
In Rosario, Green met with Sergio Iraeta, Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries of Argentina; senior officials from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and IICA Director General Muhammad Ibrahim. He was also one of the most prominent international speakers at the conference.
The minister praised Argentina’s capabilities in areas such as dairy production and beekeeping, which Jamaica seeks to strengthen through agreements to exchange professionals and knowledge. “We are interested in having technical specialists from Jamaica come to Argentina to receive training and also in having Argentinian professionals visit our research institutions in Jamaica to build capacities.”
The Jamaican delegation visited an experimental station of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), an Argentinian public institution that serves as a model for agricultural research. Located in the town of Oliveros, this INTA facility is dedicated to plant protection (integrated pest management), seed and food technology, ecophysiology, crop management, water dynamics, and the restoration of degraded soils. The visitors also met with representatives from major agro-industrial companies operating in Argentina.
Post-hurricane recovery
Green emphasized that the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October of last year dealt a severe blow to Jamaica’s agriculture sector, which has nonetheless shown significant resilience. “We have witnessed strong recovery by our farmers, but there are some areas—such as livestock farming and beekeeping—where we need support. Part of this visit is learning about best practices to accelerate this recovery,” he said.
At the conference of Argentinian producers, the minister took part in a panel discussion on the value of soil as a strategic asset, sharing his country’s experience recovering from an extreme weather event. Best practices that are currently being implemented in Argentina to improve productivity and resilience were also shared.
Green highlighted the value of IICA: “We would not be here without IICA, which is a key institution for bridging the knowledge gaps that exist on our continent. Under the leadership of Muhammad Ibrahim, the organization is taking important steps in that direction. Here, we are not only getting to learn from Argentina, but also from neighboring countries such as Brazil and Uruguay.”
The minister also referred to opportunities for trade in food products and noted that Argentina is a major coffee consumer. “Jamaica has the best coffee in the world, so we’re looking to increase trade. And there’s also a lot to explore in terms of increasing Argentinian tourism in Jamaica. We’re a wonderful destination thanks to our beaches, our reggae music, and the warmth that characterizes our people,” he said.
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