IICA instals new Technical Specialist in SVG

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), named a new Technical Specialist to its Delegation in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), in the person of Rohan Mc Donald.

IICA said in a release that Mc Donald officially assumed the position on September 1, following more than 25 years of service with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation, where he most recently served as Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer. During his career with the ministry, he also served as an Agricultural Diversification Officer and gained extensive experience in stakeholder consultation, project implementation, youth involvement in agriculture and efforts to improve productivity within the sector.

His transition to IICA brings to the Institute a wealth of practical knowledge and first-hand experience of the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture in SVG, the release notes.

Mc Donald said his experience within the Ministry has shaped his approach to his new role, noting that “the experience that I have had in the Ministry of Agriculture has made me aware that what looks good on paper doesn’t necessarily be the same thing on the ground”.

In his new capacity, Mc Donald will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and support efforts to address key challenges affecting the sector. He identified several priority areas, including increasing youth and women’s participation in agriculture, building resilience to climate change, improving productivity, strengthening market access, and supporting the development of agricultural businesses.

As he begins his new role, Mc Donald said one of his priorities will be to build on the relationships and initiatives established by his predecessor, Michael Dalton, and further strengthen IICA’s collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers and other stakeholders.

For Mc Donald, success will ultimately be measured by the impact on farmers and their families.

“If we are able to see positive increase in productivity, which would naturally lead to higher incomes to the families and increasing livelihoods and improvement in youth participation in agriculture, where they can see a future in agriculture, that will be successful,” he is quoted as stating.

As part of his official introduction to the role, Mc Donald was presented to key agricultural and government stakeholders during meetings held last week by IICA Representative in the Eastern Caribbean States, Gregg Rawlins.

The meetings included the Minister for Agriculture, Israel Bruce; Minister for Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation and Climate Resilience, Conroy Huggins; and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs, Fitzgerald Bramble, as well as representatives of agricultural and fishing groups.

IICA said the engagements served to reinforce Institute’s relationship with the agricultural and fisheries sectors and reaffirm the its commitment to working alongside national stakeholders to advance sustainable agricultural development in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Rawlins welcomed Mc Donald to IICA, noting that his extensive technical background and experience within the agricultural sector will support the continued delivery of technical assistance to the farming community.