Big push for livestock, aquaculture and apiculture industries

Georgetown, GINA, February 25, 2008.

Agricultural diversification will be given greater boost during this year with more interventions by Government to help realise the potential existing in the livestock, small-ruminant, aquaculture and apiculture industries.
            This was highlighted by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh during his presentation of the 2008 National Budget on February 22, during which he outlined activities underway to develop these areas, as part of Government’s interest in “accelerated diversification of the economy.”
            It was noted that improved breeds of cattle and swine, acquired during 2007, will be multiplied and distributed while there are plans to source more small ruminant stocks for breeding and distribution.
            Improved breeding stock has been given much attention in recent years particularly through the Ministry of Agriculture, which has led several initiatives, some in collaboration with private farmers, to import various types of animals for breeding purposes. There have been successes with Brangus cows and various breeds of sheep and goats.
Another intervention underway to boost the livestock sector involves the provision of partial material to 130 individual farmers and eight farmers’ groups for resuscitation of 300 acres of pasture in seven regions. This assistance will be administered through the National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP).
Additionally, the budget caters for a $35M allocation toward the establishment of a new laboratory at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI). The facility will consolidate all of the pest and disease management and quarantine services and provide training to farmers and agricultural researchers and students.
            With regard to aquaculture, a tilapia hatchery will be established by Government while fish farmers will be trained to enable them to practice scientific and sustainable aquaculture.   
            There will be increased efforts to revitalise the beekeeping industry, which has been identified as another potential area in which there have been growing interest across the country.
            These activities are in keeping with Government’s commitment to agricultural diversification which will be given a major boost this year with launching of the US$20.9M Agricultural Export Diversification Programme.
Key components of this project will result in the promotion and consolidation of agri-businesses, support for the implementation of agri-business plans, construction and equipping of an abattoir and strengthening agri-business export and facilitation services.
Additionally, it targets improving effectiveness of the animal and plant health and food safety units under the Ministries of Agriculture and Health and the establishment of three agri-business clusters in the areas of fruits and vegetables, livestock and aquaculture.

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