Agricultural potential in hinterland must be utilised
-Moraikobai residents urged to ‘grow more’

Georgetown, GINA, April 14, 2008.

Hinterland residents are being urged to grow more and utilise the opportunities that exist for expanded agriculture in their communities enabling them to become self-sufficient in food and to take advantage of the available export markets.
            This was highlighted today at the launching of the ‘Grow-More’ campaign at Moraikobai in Region Five, by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, a team of officials from various departments within the Ministry and Region Five Chairman Harrinarine Baldeo.
            Farmers, loggers and other residents, who gathered at the community centre ground to interact with the Minister and his team, were told that the campaign is in response to the current global food shortage.  It was explained that the situation facing the world is caused by several factors, including decrease in production by some countries due to erratic weather conditions, the conversion of certain food crops into bio-fuel and the increase in fuel prices.

  

Minister Persaud addresses farmers, loggers and residents at Moraikobai in Region Five during launching of the ‘Grow More’ campaign in the community.     

Some of Government’s interventions to help citizens deal with this situation resulted in the removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic food items and zero-rating of the Excise Tax on diesel and reduction on gasoline. There has been strict monitoring of rice to ensure an adequate supply for the local market and non-restriction on importation of flour to stabilize prices and attract quality flour in the domestic market.
            In addition, a Ministerial Task Force chaired by Minister Persaud has been established to further analyse the effects of the rising cost for fuel on the international market.   The Grow More campaign is another effort to ease the rising cost of food and encourages farmers to increase crops cultivation and livestock rearing to ensure adequate food supplies for themselves, the country and to help satisfy the demand in the Caribbean Region and internationally.
            Minister Persaud assured that while farmers are being encouraged to grow more, necessary assistance will be provided by Government through the Ministry and its departments to help them realise the potential. Reference was made to the provision of marketing advice and planting material, to aid in this regard.

A farmer of Moraikobai, Region Five, raises a concern with Minister Persaud and visiting team during launching of the ‘Grow More’ campaign in the community 

Additionally, farmers were updated on the development of the Farmers’ Manual to guide their cultivation activities, importation and introduction of new breeds to boost the livestock industry and training of persons to serve as extension agents within their respective areas.
Addressing forestry, which is the main economic activity in Moraikobai Minister Persaud, urged villagers to focus on sustainable utilisation and development of the forest resources. The need for more emphasis on value-added production that will enable loggers to earn more and create more jobs and opportunities for further advancement of the community was highlighted.
They were also told of the training opportunities being offered for forestry stakeholders in various areas including technical operations to ensure sustainable development of the industry.
During the interactive session, residents expressed interest in the training available for both agricultural and forestry activities and sought clarification on the manner in which they can benefit from these opportunities.
Farmers requested information on the export markets available and the types of crops on demand and highlighted the need for firearm licences to be issued for farmers to protect their crops from wild animals and assistance to establish the community’s access road.

Minister Persaud interacts with farmers and residents of Moraikobai in Region Five following launching of the ‘Grow More’ campaign in the community.    

In response, General Manager of Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) Nizam Hassan briefed the gathering on Guyana’s regional and international export markets and some of the produce on demand such as pineapples, peppers and pumpkins.
            Minister Persaud explained that Amerindians and farmers are being given priority with regard to the issuance of firearm licences. He told them that their requests for assistance to build the road will be raised with the respective Ministers responsible for infrastructure and Amerindian Affairs.  
            Director of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Tasreef Khan and Hinterland Coordinator in the Agriculture Ministry John Woolford were among those present during the event and who provided the gathering with information relating to the roles and functions of their respective agencies and departments.

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