Multi million dollar pesticide, toxic chemical lab to boost agricultural trade and diversification

Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2008

Agricultural trade and food production quality will be enhanced in Guyana with the commissioning of a massive multi million dollar state-of-the-art pesticide and toxic chemical control laboratory which was today commissioned at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Compound, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud.
            The facility which will be managed by the Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board has been constructed and equipped at a total value of approximately $100 M with financing from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).
            Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, IDB Representative, Javier Grau praised the Government for this initiative, noting that it is testimony of the Government’s commitment to ensure Guyanese have access to quality, wholesome foods for local consumption and export markets.
            In acknowledging the importance of this modern testing facility in an era in which Guyana’s agricultural sector is poised to accelerate significantly under the Jagdeo Initiative, Minister Persaud outlined that the laboratory is currently equipped with the instruments and required human resources to perform routine monitoring of pesticides residue, through regular analyses, to quantify the range of active ingredient residues and their metabolites in agricultural produce, soil, water, and animal tissue.
            This laboratory will enhance and improve the existing monitoring capabilities of the Pesticides Board and support the determination of pre-harvest intervals associated with the usage of agrochemical products under local conditions.
            Minister Persaud said that apart from determining the degradation of pesticides and toxic chemicals in the environment and provide for the analysis of the concentration of active ingredients in formulated products, it will also serve as a training facility in pesticide science for students from our institutions of higher learning such as: the. University of Guyana, Guyana School of Agriculture, NARI, Guysuco’s Agriculture Research Unit, the Guyana Rice Development Board and regulatory control agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
            Meanwhile in the area of trade, Minister Persaud noted that this new facility will further advance Guyana’s agricultural diversification thrust which is currently centered on the optimal production and exportation of fruits, vegetables, livestock and fisheries.
            “This laboratory represents a significant and inseparable component of our initiative to attain this objective and promote the massive expansion of agriculture development in Guyana. “
            Minister Persaud reiterated that the facility will also guarantee the retention of Guyana’s status as a major exporter of fresh food to the region, and reposition the country on the world map because of its provision of safe food for local consumption and the growing international marketplace.
            He also noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for countries, especially developing countries to cope quickly with the growing number and complexity of the internationally accepted food standards and regulations such as Codex. 
            “If we are to achieve and maintain a place for ourselves as a producer and supplier of save agro-produce, we must continue to meet the challenges we are faced and continue to work diligently towards the achievement of these standards.” Minister Persaud said
            Registrar of the Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board, Basdeo Dwarka said all stakeholders within the agricultural sector can benefit from the services offered by the pesticide and toxic chemical control laboratory.

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