During FONTAGRO’s end-of-year project meeting, the Board of Directors, together with the Technical Administrative Secretariat and more than 100 FONTAGRO researchers, paid special tribute to Manuel Otero, outgoing Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). In recognition of his invaluable work and commitment to the development of agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Directors of the National Research Institutes from the 15 member countries created an emotional video celebrating his outstanding career.

Watch the video

IICA’s ongoing support for FONTAGRO under Manuel Otero’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing initiatives that promote innovation and sustainability in the agricultural sector. During the meeting, Dr. Otero shared his vision for the future of agri-food systems in the region, underscoring the role of innovation ecosystems such as FONTAGRO, where multiple sectors converge: private industry, finance, government, national research institutes, academia, producers, and consumers.

Researchers expressed their appreciation for his support and dedication, noting that his leadership has left a meaningful mark on FONTAGRO’s mission and that his legacy continues to inspire joint efforts toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture in the region.