Agri Minister meets Essequibo farmers, launch ‘Grow More’ food campaign
Georgetown, GINA, March 29, 2008
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and a team from the Agriculture Sector today met with Essequibo farmers at the Affiance Multi-Purpose Centre. Later in the afternoon the team was at the Charity Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Office where it launched the “Grow More Food” campaign.
The team included representatives of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Rice Development Board and staff of the Agriculture Ministry.
Addressing the farmers at Affiance the Agriculture Minister said when he was first appointed Minister there were lots of complaints coming from farmers in that Region related to unfair prices for their crops and not being paid on time causing undue hardships on them.
The Minister said that Government decided to stop issuing licences to millers unless they had cleared off 90 percent of the previous crop debt. In addition to this measure farmers are benefiting from the increased prices on the world market.
Minister Persaud delivering remarks at the launching of the Ministry’s “Grow More Food Campaign” at the Charity NDSC Office
Minister Persaud told the farmers that Government is taking several initiatives to assist in cushioning the effects of the rising cost of fuel and fertilizer on the world market.
He told farmers of the announcement made on March 28 to remove the excise tax on diesel. He said the impact of the initiative would be felt soon. Additionally the Government, through the Rice Producers Association, is seeking alternative sources for fertilizer that could be acquired at a cheaper cost. The plan, he said is to reduce input cost to maximize production.
Government is making investments in the Region in drainage and irrigation works and at present over $700M is being spent to improve the systems throughout the Coast.
At the Charity NDC Office, where the “Grow More” campaign was launched, the Minister told the gathering that there is an increase in demand for agricultural products from Guyana. He cited export figures from last year with showed that exports in all agricultural products from Guyana (except sugar) had increased by between 20- 30 percent.
Minister Persaud addressing farmers, forestry operatives and residents at Affiance during an official visit to Region Two on Saturday, March 30, 2008
Minister Persaud said that unlike other similar campaigns this one will be market driven and managed by the new Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) which is tasked with finding markets and matching farmers to these markets. Past campaigns failed, he said, because farmers were asked to produce more without having the market to sell. This led to wastage and farmers becoming frustrated
This new approach will see the GMC providing information on what crops are in demand and where the markets are. They would also work with other agencies such as the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) and the Ministry’s Other Crops and Livestock Department to increase the quality of the produce for the international market.
To fuel this drive, several training sessions will be organised to introduce ‘best practices’. He encouraged the farmers to utilise these sessions since they are aimed at improving their productivity.
The Minister said that Government intends to set up Laboratories across Guyana to service the growing needs of the Agriculture sector. Additional Agricultural Extension Officers will be appointed to service the growing needs of farmers.
Several farmers shared suggestions with the Minister and team.
more bulletins
