Ministry of Agriculture of Guyana

Livestock industry provides key inputs for agriculture sector -seminar examines making industry more competitive

Georgetown, GINA, April 18, 2008

Efforts are being made by the Ministry of Agriculture to seek ways to cushion the present challenges that face food production including livestock.

At a seminar held at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) Mon Repos, under the theme “Livestock Feed, Current State of the Industry and Factors affecting availability” Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud noted that globally farmers are faced with a feed and food price crunch as a result of the change in consumption patterns, eating habits and lifestyles when persons become more endowed.

Among the participants were representatives of the Livestock Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Bounty Farm Limited, Guyana Stock Feeds Limited, Maharaja Oil Mill and the National Milling Company (NAMILCO).

One of the recent changes seen in terms of food consumption patterns is the use of animal protein. If the consumption of meat has increased the demand for feed stock will likely increase also, he said.

The Minister further noted that globally there is a drop in feed supply and this is further compounded by other factors that affect livestock production as a result of spiralling oil prices. “Taking all of these factors into consideration, they have driven the prices up and with the increase demands at the same time have posed tremendous problems in terms of the availability of feed on the international market. What Guyana is faced with today is what is being experienced around the world,” Minister Persaud said.

He stated that one of the issues being raised currently is the availability and affordability of feed and food for the region.

Minister Persaud reported that at a teleconference early this morning with Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) officials, ideas were exchanged with regards to the solutions being taken in response to the challenges of the hike of food prices.

“Many of the officials in the teleconference were pleased and in support of the solutions being sought by the Ministry. What Guyana is doing here today in tackling this issue and what happens after not only benefits us but also the region, because the region looks to Guyana for leadership when it comes to the issue of agriculture and dealing with the challenges,” Minister Persaud noted.

The Minister also highlighted that in fighting this challenge the stakeholders must get involved and it must be private sector driven

Minister Persaud stated that one initiative being undertaken is dedicating land to farmers for feed stock production. The product initially targeted is rice and the land will not be used for any other purpose, he said.

In addition, the Minister noted that it is very lucrative to sell Guyana’s broken rice on the international market as it is used to feed persons as far as Senegal. The broken rice today fetches close to $US 430 per tonne, so it’s an economic opportunity to use this by product.

Another intervention the Ministry has decided to put in place is an export quota on broken rice. Based on projections, Guyana will produce close to 30,000 tonnes of broken rice this year, based on the demand.

Guyana Stock Feeds Limited Chief Executive Officer Robert Badal noted that the industry has increased over the last few years by over 60-70%. He spoke of the factors affecting feed production including cash flow requirements, international market situation and increases in traditional demands for energy sources.

Badal said that in order for the livestock industry to become more competitive local production should be increased to cut the price of feed, the oil industry should be rehabilitated and expanded and local production of corn and soya beans should be encouraged among other options

There were presentations on several areas including ‘Alternative materials that can be used as feed for ruminants’, ‘Supplemental feeding for ruminants’, ‘Alternative feed for poultry and Pigs’ and ‘Alternative feed for fish’.

The Livestock Industry is a component of the Agriculture and production system which must be examined carefully as a result of the many challenges being faced by it as a result of the rising food prices. Livestock plays a vital role in agricultural and rural economies as it produces food directly and provides key inputs to crop agriculture.