Remarks by Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Robert M. Persaud, MBA, MP on “Grow More” Campaign

  

Background to `grow more food’ campaign

1.      The Ministry though the NGMC is launching a “Grow More” food campaign across Guyana;

2.      The demand for produce for export is increasing.  Produce such as plantains, watermelons, pumpkin, peppers, and a wide range of vegetables: cabbages, eggplant, bora, etc. Last year, exports of all agricultural produce, excepting sugar grew by over 30%;

3.      Rising price for food internationally has resulted in unprecedented demand on Guyana to supply food to the Caribbean region. Food prices are rising “The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization reported that food prices increased by 40 percent in 2007 alone”;

4.      Ensure we meet external market demands and at the same time, be able to provide in full quantities; affordable vegetables, fruits, fresh meat and fish, etc. to our local consumers;

5.      This Grow More campaign will be market led, as against previous attempts which were only production oriented. The New Guyana Marketing Corporation is working with departments and agencies in the Ministry to lead the effort.

Ministry’s Support for the “Grow More” Food Campaign

1. Implementation of the US$20.M Agricultural Export Diversification Programme:

-          Will contribute significantly to the increase of Guyana’s export growth rate and reduce its volatility;

-          Establishment of services and institutions for a sustainable increase in the income derived from the export of non-traditional agricultural exports in the aquaculture, fruits, vegetables, and livestock sub sectors;

-          Support institutional arrangements for promoting and managing the agricultural diversification strategy and improve the capabilities of agribusiness export and facilitation services which, in return, will enhance food production

2.      Implementation of the Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development – US$6M

-          Increase market opportunities available to small-scale rural men and women producers

-          Increase the capacity of rural producers to efficiently and effectively produce and market non-traditional products and develop small scale enterprises

-          Strengthen rural services available to small-scale producers, especially directed at increasing their productivity and reducing their vulnerability

-          Increase access by small-scale rural men and women producers to financial and other capital services

-          Build human and social capacity at the community level to facilitate increased self-reliance in addressing challenges to sustainable development.

3.  Increased investment in D&I

- national budget allocation of US$5M annually

- support from the IDB for expansion of D&I network and vital rehabilitation

- restoring drainage to areas abandoned by farmers

- organize and train farmers to manage the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the rehabilitated structures

4. Enhanced extension services

-          continue to modernise extension services through use of IT

-          expand complement of extension agents to support Ministry’s staff

-          access to more practical demonstration material

-          increase farmers’ field schools and training activities countrywide

5. Increased availability of plant and seed material

1. In 2008, the production of planting material at NARI reaching in excess of 300,000 units
2. Construction of 20 improved seedling houses countrywide to ensure a reliable and continuous supply of vegetable seedlings.
3. Support farmers’ groups and commercial nurseries
4. NGMC is in the process of making arrangements to be a distributor of vegetables and fruits seeds due to high-prices being charged by others 

 

 OTHER MEASURES:

1. Development and promotion of efficient water management techniques such as drip irrigation to promote year round production of crops.

2. Promoting shade house and greenhouse cultivation to combat effects of climate change.

3. Introduction of improve livestock breeds to increase meat production.

·              Cattle

·              Sheep (Dorper, Black Belly and soon the British Texel)

·              Ducks (new breeds imported)

·              Swine

·              Goats (Boer)

4. Aquaculture and apiculture development.
5. Integrated rice/fish cultivation.
6. Introduction of improved crop cultivars – higher yielding and more adaptable to the effects of climate change.
7. More support for inland and hinterland agriculture
8. Development of a strategy to tackle rising cost of livestock feed and in-puts
9. The establishment of a food lab to ensure the production of safe and wholesome food for local consumption and exports
10. No VAT on agricultural inputs
11. Update of Plant Disaster Preparedness Plan

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