Food security, main focus of Agriculture Month
-heightened emphasis on hinterland farming

Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007.

Agriculture Month 2007, to be launched on October 1 at Orealla, Region Six, will be celebrated under the theme ‘The right to food - a reality in Guyana,’ as Government continues to place emphasis on food security.
            According to Deputy Permanent Secretary – Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Brian Greenidge, the observance will place emphasis on forestry and its linkage to food security, particularly in rural communities that are involved in agriculture.
            Additionally, the celebrations will highlight agricultural development in these hinterland communities where farming activities have evolved over the years as a result of the administration’s continued investments.
An itinerary of events has been prepared for the various communities including Moruca and Matthews Ridge, Region One; Kamarang and Paruima, Region Seven; Paramakatoi and Aishalton, Region Eight and Rockstone in Region Ten. The activities include various farmers’ meetings, discussions and commissioning of various projects and initiatives aimed at developing the various sub-sectors of agriculture.
Hinterland Agricultural Development Officer John Woolford noted that the activities are part of the Ministry’s renewed focus on advancement of agriculture in interior communities.
Woolford pointed out that the coastal areas have been the main highlight over the past years and there is need to remind people that agriculture is progressing in the hinterland as well. Reference was made to Paruima, a far-flung community in Region Seven, where high quality products such as onions, white potato and cabbage are cultivated organically.
The geographical location and the high cost make it is difficult to transport produce from this area to other parts of the country, he added. Therefore, this year’s observances will showcase the development taking place in the community.
Meanwhile, World Food Day on October 16 will be celebrated in Guyana with various activities at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Agriculture contributes about 35 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounts for 43 percent of the country’s total earnings, and provides employment for more than 70 percent of the population. Celebration of Agriculture Month is intended to showcase development taking place in the sector and to encourage further growth.
Last year, Agriculture Month was launched in Region Ten and was observed under the theme ‘investing in Guyana’s agriculture for food security.’ 

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