The objectives of the paper were: to develop a paper to guide IICA in the process of developing its programs and operational strategy vis a vis the issue of sustainability, and to develop proposals on activities that organization could undertake using the resources of its five programs that would address current issues in the sustainable development of agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean with the support of possible funding agencies. The papers addresses the current constraints to the sustainable development of agriculture in LAC, the declining potential of land for agriculture, land for forests, wildlife, biomass, etc. is coming into short supply along with land for agriculture, increasing interest in the possibilities for low input farming, the need to improve the management of chemical and waste products, among other things. Then, it addresses merging economic and environmental considerations in agricultural development, institutional issues; and conclusions and recommendations with a conceptual model for a vision statement for the sustainable development of an agricultural sector. Finally, IICA's role with respect to sustainable development: co-opting politicians and donor agencies to the cause, the development and application of methodologies and case studies; assisting Member Countries in ways that they request and just as all programs of Member Governments and IICA contribure to the sector's development, so they should make the same commitment to sustainable development. (MIBA)