At IICA, we believe that collaboration is key to driving sustainable development and fostering innovation in the agritourism sector.
We are proud to work closely with renowned organizations and institutions to create impactful initiatives that promote rural development, capacity-building, and economic opportunities. Through these valuable partnerships, we have implemented projects, developed training programs, and showcased best practices, contributing to the growth and sustainability of agritourism in the Caribbean region and beyond.
Chefs for Development
Chefs 4 Development is a collective initiative coordinated by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO), the Pacific Community (SPC), the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Women in Business Development Inc., farmer’s organizations, agribusinesses, and chefs that aims to promote sustainable development through the use of local ingredients and culinary traditions.
Through this platform, chefs in the world’s tropical regions- the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific are encouraged to show off their skills by making new dishes with local ingredients that promote a healthy and environmentally friendly way of life. By collaborating with farmers and other food producers, chefs can also help to create local markets for their products, which can provide economic opportunities for small-scale farmers and promote food security in their communities. This community has been successful in promoting sustainable development by promoting local food cultures and empowering small-scale farmers, and it continues to inspire chefs worldwide to explore local food traditions and build a more sustainable future.
To learn more, visit their website: https://chefs4dev.org/index.html
Helen’s Daughters is a non-profit organization based in the Caribbean that is dedicated to empowering rural women farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture. The organization provides capacity-development training, mentorship, micro-investment, access to high-value markets, and a structured care system for rural women farmers who have been largely unacknowledged and under-supported in the agricultural sector. In addition to their work in agriculture, Helen’s Daughters also focuses on promoting agritourism in the Caribbean.
As part of our strategy to support women in agriculture, we have created an agri-tourism experience entitled, “In the Eyes of a FarmHER”, to shine a light on the experiences of FarmHERs, where you get a glimpse into the role that women play in the production of food and how women farm differently. Learn about our FarmHer’s entry into agriculture, the ups and downs of farming and her resilience. Helen’s Daughters is helping to create new economic opportunities for rural communities in the Caribbean and support sustainable development.
Since November 2019, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has worked with IICA to strengthen cooperation for sustainable rural agritourism.
Together, the UNWTO and IICA implement projects that promote capacity-building and training on subjects like destination positioning and branding for rural tourism, project development and diversification and digital skills with the financial support of international donors.
Since its launch in 2021, IICA is a proud participant on the UNWTO Advisory Board for the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages competition. This competition recognizes outstanding rural tourism destinations that preserve community-based values, cultural and natural assets, and prioritize economic, social, and environmental sustainability. It promotes tourism as a catalyst for positive transformation, rural development, and overall well-being.
To learn more, visit their website: https://www.unwto.org/
Through a collaboration between IICA and the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), IICA created a Rural Tourism online course on the Institute’s e-learning platform. This specialized course is designed for students enrolled in the entrepreneurial stream of UTech’s Master in Integrated Rural Development (MIRD) program. By equipping students with knowledge and skills in rural tourism, the course empowers them to develop and operate enterprises in rural communities, thereby expanding income-earning opportunities and fostering sustainable economic development.
In 2021, IICA forged a strategic partnership with the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) to showcase best practices and models of tourism attractions based on the history of sugar and rum. This collaboration, under the IICA Northern Region Agrotourism project, aims to leverage the rich heritage of sugar and rum in promoting unique agritourism experiences in the Caribbean.
To learn more, visit their website: https://www.wirspa.com/
Through a collaboration between IICA and the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), IICA created a Rural Tourism online course on the Institute’s e-learning platform. This specialized course is designed for students enrolled in the entrepreneurial stream of UTech’s Master in Integrated Rural Development (MIRD) program. By equipping students with knowledge and skills in rural tourism, the course empowers them to develop and operate enterprises in rural communities, thereby expanding income-earning opportunities and fostering sustainable economic development.
In a collaborative effort with other international and Caribbean partners, IICA and COLEACP have joined forces to support a more resilient and greener agricultural and agrifood business sector in the Caribbean as part of the post-COVID-19 recovery process. As part of this ongoing initiative, a two-hour bimonthly session called the Caribbean Agrifood Business Series has been organized, focusing on entrepreneurship development, including building stronger linkages between agriculture and tourism. The series has successfully facilitated the exchange of ideas and best practices, showcased the successes of smallholders and businesses, promoted innovations and technologies, fostered networking among stakeholders, and disseminated research findings.
To learn more, visit their website: https://news.coleacp.org/en/caribbean-agrifood-business-series/
In 2021, IICA, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Grenada Tourism Authority joined forces to implement the “St. Andrew Culinary Tour – Capacity Building for Food Handlers and Documentation of Cassava – Farine Processing” in Grenada. The project showcased the culinary excellence of local innovators, chefs, elderly cooks, and young entrepreneurs in St. Andrew parish. Through collaborative efforts, online food safety training sessions were conducted, benefiting various stakeholders and creating employment opportunities for rural unemployed youth, chefs, and culinary innovators.
To learn more, visit their website: Grenada Tourism Authority: https://www.puregrenada.com/grenada-tourism-authority/
To learn more, visit their website: Ministry of Economic Development, Planning, Tourism, ICT, Creative Economy, Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries & Cooperatives :
https://www.gov.gd/index.php/econdev
These partnerships have set the stage for continued collaboration and open doors to further opportunities in empowering rural communities and promoting sustainable agritourism in the Caribbean.