LOCAL privately-owned company Farm Supplies Ltd. has given tremendous assistance to the Agricultural Department of the Guyana Technical Institute (GTI) in its work of turning out well trained agricultural equipment mechanics.

This assistance, given free of charge, is entering its third year, an appreciative Renato Yearwood, Head of the Agricultural Machinery and Heavy Duty Equipment training at GTI, recently disclosed during a recent handing over ceremony of several pieces of mining equipment to the Australian Mining Company Troy Resources Inc by Farm Supplies Limited, local agents of the South Korean firm Doosan.

Yearwood said the philantrophic support of Farm Supplies Limited was a great example of how a public-private partnership can make a big difference in the educational upliftment of youths.

“Prior to Farm Supplies’ intervention, the equipment we had for training purposes were old, even obsolete. Hands-on training for students was not realistic, since they would not interface with such types of outdated equipment after they left the classroom. Training was mainly theoretical,” Yearwood said.

Farm Supplies came on board and refurbished the entire GTI training workshop. The company refurbished the GTI Agri-mechanic workshop, supplied modern engines, equipment and tools, facilitating much needed “hands on” training for youths seeking a certificate in Agricultural Mechanics after a two-year period of training.

The company also accommodates students two days a week for practical classes at its location at Plantation Rome, Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown, where youths are exposed to the technology of the modern equipment and machines, particularly those manufactured by the South Korean equipment manufacturer Doosan.

Yearwood said that more than one hundred students have benefited, and have graduated to date. Seventy others similarly trained on up-to-date equipment made accessible by Farm Supplies are to graduate in November next.
The company has also granted employment to the top graduates from the GTI Agricultural Machinery training programme, Yearwood said.

Acknowledging the support of the company for GTI, Representative Mr. Schelte Van Dijk said the development of Guyana with sustainability, innovation and determination from everyone is the company’s primary goal.

The previously mentioned Doosan machines acquired by Troy Resources Inc. are destined for gold mining at Karouni in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), and successful graduates from the Agri-Mechanic Course at GTI will be among those employed as operators.
Written By Clifford Stanley