Agricultural diversification being further pursued at Wakenaam
- continued focus on D&I improvement to support plan
Georgetown, GINA, February 13, 2008.
Agricultural diversification continues to be promoted in more communities especially where there is tremendous potential for such activities, including Wakenaam Island in Region Three, where focus remains on improved drainage and irrigation to intensify this programme.
Under the administration, significant investments have been made to revitalise agriculture in these areas through the upgrading of D&I and other basic infrastructure and services to support farmers’ activities. Over the years, this has resulted in increased production and efforts to diversify away from the traditional rice cultivation.
During a farmers’ meeting held today at Wakenaam by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, discussions were held on possible interventions that could be made to further boost agricultural activities on the island. Several senior officials of agencies and departments within the Ministry were present at the meeting.
One of the main issues highlighted was D&I and its role in advanced agriculture and diversification activities. Farmers acknowledged that there have been improvements with regard to D&I and called for more to be done. They were advised that the Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will collaborate with the Regional Administration and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to determine and implement further interventions.
Minister Persaud addresses farmers at Wakenaam.
During last year, an excavator was redeployed for several months to Wakenaam from the Essequibo Coast to carry out major drainage works. The equipment has since been reassigned to Leguan, which is in need for urgent works as well. Additionally, technical personnel from NDIA have constantly visited the island to monitor drainage works and determine further interventions and farmers were assured that this activity will continue.
Minister Persaud noted that efforts are being made to purchase an excavator for Region Three which will allow for a machine to be permanently assigned to service the Essequibo islands. It was also pointed out that the Ministry will explore the possibility of supplementing the programme by having the excavator that is currently at Leguan returned to Wakenaam to complete major drainage works which have started.
A section of the gathering at the Wakenaam meeting with Minister Persaud.
With the improved D&I, farmers were encouraged to ensure maximum utilisation of the opportunities that exist for increased agricultural activities especially in the area of diversification. They were urged to further pursue other crops cultivation and livestock rearing while focusing on increased rice production.
Farmers were told that the Agricultural Diversification Project, which will come on stream during this year, will make available resources and capacity to further push such activities in areas such as Wakenaam, where there are great opportunities. They were advised that officials of the Ministry can work on development of a diversification plan for their community.
Previous activities to promote agricultural diversification in Wakenaam include a sheep breeding programme that was launched last year through assistance from the British High Commission.
Farmers were advised that Government’s focus in agricultural diversification is to ensure further and advanced development in this sector with focus on other crops especially fruits and vegetables, livestock and fisheries.
It was pointed out that while attention is being given to this activity, they are still being urged to take advantage of the market opportunities that exist for the traditional crops such as rice for which the international demand has increased significantly.
Issues such as the high cost of production brought about by increased prices for basic inputs – fertilisers, spare parts and fuel, were highlighted. Minister Persaud explained that while these issues are linked to the global situation such as the ethanol boom in developing States, various innovative strategies have been pursued to help farmers.
While fertilisers do not attract any form of taxation nor duty, interventions were made by Government for the Rice Producers Association (RPA) to access a US$1.8M special loan to facilitate importation of fertilizers. This is aimed at making the item available to farmers at affordable prices.
Minister Persaud explained that Venezuela was approached for a shipment, which has been put on hold by that country because of a situation where one of its three plants (two of which produce fertilisers for local consumption and one for export) is not in operation.
The local demand for this item in Venezuela has also increased, the Minister added, thus that State’s decision to hold the RPA’s shipment until the local demand is supplied. However, the Minister said Venezuela will be contacted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain the predicament facing Guyana’s farmers and seeking an intervention by the State to release the shipment as quickly as possible.
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