Inter-American Development Bank President Enrique V. Iglesias met Monday with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Daniel R. Glickman to discuss cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the implementation of regional initiatives to strengthen agricultural technology development and to reduce rural poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Iglesias expressed his appreciation for the USDA ’s support in the preparation of the upcoming Rural Conference and Field Day, March 24-25, during the IDB’s Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Among several initiatives discussed, two deserved particular consideration: a joint USDA/IDB effort in developing a broad strategic vision for the modernization of agriculture and the reduction of rural poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the consolidation of U.S. support to the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO). Secretary Glickman suggested an effort to draft concrete proposals to develop both initiatives.