Agriculture Minister urges Region One farmers to increase food production

Georgetown, GINA, April 6, 2008
           
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud visited Port Kaituma, Region One on April 5 to address several concerns raised by farmers and used the occasion to urge them to get organised.
Minister Persaud who was accompanied by officials of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), met farmers from Port Kaituma, Four-Miles, Pomeroon, and other areas who spoke of their intention to relocate, a safeguarding mechanism for their animals and being prohibited from farming because of illegal occupation of lands.
Minister Persaud in his opening remarks said there is much potential and hope for the region and alluded to major investments taking place, especially in the forestry sector with the new investor from China, Jaling Forest Enterprises Limited.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud speaking with farmers at Port Kaituma

He added that the functions of the GFC will be strengthened with more monitoring activities so that effective management of forestry resources in the region is achieved.
            “We want to work with those persons involved in allowing you to comply and understand that there are certain guidelines that are set and expected. We have certain obligations internationally. One is to ensure that our standing forests provide opportunities for climate change mitigation,” Minister Persaud said.
Region One is also well known as the organic region of Guyana because of its immense natural potential and farmers were urged by the Minister to get better organised to adequately supply markets.
General Manager of the GMC Nizam Hassan said the region stands to benefit from the recently launched grow more campaign which is encouraging farmers to expand their production.
The campaign is aimed at increasing the production of food countrywide to take advantage of the threatened global food shortage.

 The Region’s Chairman Fermin Singh who was also at the meeting said farmers have been engaging mainly in subsistence farming.
 “Sometimes the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) would call the region requesting peanuts, yams and plantains but the quantity they would call for is often too much for us to supply… If we should produce large quantities, only then can we suffice a genuine foreign market” the Regional Chairman said.
Region One has benefited from several local and foreign investments in forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, mining and handcraft.
Along with Jaling, Essar Steel from India intends to restart manganese mining and processing in Port Kaituma, Forest Enterprise Limited is interested in marketing and selling certified wood products from Guyana to Europe and other areas and the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana is working to develop fish farming in the Region.

 

 

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