Agriculture diversification moves forward

Agriculture diversification moves forward
Guyana Chronicle, 10 January 2008
SIGNIFICANT achievements were made through the Ministry of Agriculture
to ensure that its mandate for 2007 was attained, particularly as it
related to improving services offered to farmers to support further
agricultural development.


Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud with fishermen at a Georgetown
fisheries operations.
Non-Traditional Crops and Agricultural Diversification


The non-traditional crops sector recoded increased exports and
introduced several new crops to the overseas markets, especially in
North America.

Another notable activity in this area was the start of construction of
the $89M packaging and storage facility at Parika to boost the
non-traditional crops sector, to increase exports and promote more
value-added products.

Efforts to encourage advanced agricultural diversification continued
with various initiatives, some of which were guided by the Ministerial
Advisory Committee on Diversification set up following the Agricultural
Diversification Summit hosted in December 2006.

Approval of the US$21M Agricultural Diversification Initiative and the
US$6M Rural Enterprise Agricultural Development (READ) Project is
another major success for the Ministry since these projects will add to
ongoing diversification activities.

Improved Services to Farmers

Services offered by the Ministry were reviewed and various adjustments
made to ensure more opportunities for agricultural stakeholders and to
promote a more business-like approach to support further profitability
of their activities.

The extension services programme was revamped with new initiatives that
included training of farmers/residents as extension agents, development
of a Farmers’ Manual as a form of technical assistance, and
establishment of several information technology (IT) centres.

A marketing centre was established at the New Guyana Marketing
Corporation (GMC) to assist farmers, exporters, processors and others
with pertinent information.

In an effort to ensure the safe use of pesticides and toxic chemicals,
amendments to the existing Act were pursued while construction of the
laboratory at Mon Repos was completed and is awaiting installation of
equipment.

Livestock and Poultry

One of the main activities pursued in 2007, was improved breeding
stocks through which several animal breeds were imported and farms were
developed by private investors with support from the Agriculture
Ministry.

Other activities were done through the National Agricultural Research
Institute (NARI) to ensure that improved breeds of animals are made
available to farmers while investments were made to establish new
pastures.

Regulations were updated to address the sale of chicken and the quality
of feed available to farmers to guide development in the poultry
sector. These regulations are being implemented and necessary
monitoring is being done.

Attention was given to animal health and safety through increased
surveillance for Foot and Mouth Disease at all ports of entry and Avian
Influenza (Bird Flu). A simulation exercise for Bird Flu was
successfully conducted at Laluni to ensure Guyana is adequately
equipped to deal with a possible outbreak of the disease.

Fisheries

Among the main achievements in this sector were completion of the
Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) that outlines strategies to develop the
various sub-sectors and re-activation of the Fisheries Advisory
Committee (FAC) that advises on the sector’s continued growth.

Additionally, new initiatives were pursued to tackle piracy including
strong collaboration with fishermen’s cooperative societies and law
enforcement agencies. Two boats and engines were purchased by the
Ministry to assist with patrols while, through the intervention of
President Bharrat Jagdeo, $5M was made available to initiate an
Anti-Piracy Revolving Fund.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) secured an additional $15M to set up a
modern communication system with heightened efforts by the GDF,
especially the Coastguard, in dealing with piracy.

To further boost the aquaculture industry, the Ministry continued
providing support to the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana
(NAAG) and began construction of a new hatchery at Mon Repos, East
Coast Demerara.

Forestry

Of significance in this sector was the passing of the Guyana Forestry
Commission (GFC) Bill as part of efforts to modernise the entity’s
operations and continue the sector’s continued growth.

Several regulations were promoted for improved wood processing
standards and procedures while countrywide sensitisation seminars were
held to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the regulations.

Focus continued on the promotion of lesser-known species to reduce
dependency on popular wood types while other activities were taken to
boost monitoring and management of the sector.

Rice

Exports of rice recorded the highest in the last decade despite
production being affected by inclement weather and increased costs of
fertilizers, spare parts for machinery and fuel.

Government’s intervention to deal with the rising production cost
resulted in the removal of Valued Added Tax (VAT) from fertilizers and
spare parts for machinery used in the rice industry. Additionally, the
Excise Tax on fuel was reduced.

Other major achievements to boost the rice industry included launching
of a $1B financial facility that provides loans to rice stakeholders at
reduced interest rates, major waters works in Region Two and provision
of improved extension and research development services.

Additionally, seed paddy plants were commissioned at Leguan and Crane
while construction of another at Black Bush Polder commenced.

Sugar

Although the sugar industry was affected by several major challenges,
the new factory at Skeldon advanced as the diesel generators of the
co-generation plant were commissioned.

Additionally, a lot of emphasis was placed on accelerating work on the
agricultural component of the Skeldon Modernisation Project (SSMP) and
on upgrading of various factories particularly the plant at Enmore to
accommodate establishment of a packaging facility.

Climate Change

During 2007, the National Climate Unit and National Climate Change
Committee and an additional 35 monitoring stations were established in
the country. Focus was placed on capacity building in the respective
agencies to meet the commitments of the Kyoto Protocol and Bali Road
Map.

Guyana was also represented at the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (CoP) meeting in Bali
, Indonesia , which focused on initiatives to tackle climate change
globally.

Drainage and Irrigation

To combat the effects of climate change, approximately $2.2B was
invested through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the
Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary - Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA)
and the various Regional Administrations to improve drainage and
irrigation in several areas.

Some of the activities undertaken were the purchase of more equipment
such as pumps and excavators, clearing of various canals and outfalls
channels, construction/heightening of embankments and
rehabilitation/reactivation of structures such as sluices and kokers.
(GINA)