Dear Editor,

EVERY year there are quite a number of helpful activities that aid in the government’s agricultural thrust. This has been the trend for over a decade: Essequibo agri-expo, agro-tourism activities, World Food Day activities, etc, etc. These showcases are very, very, interesting, informative and educative, I might add; these are all laudable activities and the themes are all relevant.

Thanks to this government, and also to other former governments for the great initiatives. Nothing is altogether wrong with the intent. No, personally I do believe these events have far- reaching effects. However, I have one problem:the
notable absence of full participation of hinterland farming communities in Essequibo is becoming more and more pronounced as the years roll by; future governments will have their job well cut out to encourage optimum participation.

Residents are willing to showcase their produce, but are faced with serious setbacks. Evident in hinterland farming communities is the absence of visits by extension officers, even though they are equipped with means of transport, this writer was reliably informed.

Residents in one particular community are ever so grateful for the government’s recognition of the need to renovate an agro-processing unit; what a wonderful initiative. This is in Region Two. Yes, all of these interventions are most welcome, because they help to stimulate agriculture in Region Two, so what’s the issue, then?
Editor, agriculture in the hinterland of Guyana has its own challenges, but nothing can compare with one that is as perennial as the grass: the acushi ant scourge. Essequibo is not only about coastal agriculture. More and more residents from low-lying areas are becoming restless and fearful about the onslaught of extraordinarily high tides and they must be encouraged to migrate inland, but no government will ever be worth its salt if care is not taken to listen to hinterland people who altogether struggle to eke out a living through agriculture. That is why emphasis is biased towards subsistence agriculture, instead of commercial agriculture.

The cutting ant pest, however, must be combated, if not eradicated, at most. We have a grand opportunity, sir, in the coming years not only to place on exhibition locally grown produce in abundance, but to be better producers. But farmers need new technology to combat the ever-present acushi ant problem, through fumigation, not the ineffective bait which agri officers are distributing so freely. Of course, the cost to produce an effective bait should not be ignored, sir, but everyone knows too that what costs nothing is worth nothing and farmers, I’m sure, would pay anything to ensure effective control of the destructive insect mentioned above.

It must be told that a call for the use of a swing fog machine in this part of Guyana was a general call prior to 2015. We must be fair to the former administration which heard the clarion call and one such piece of equipment was promptly shipped to Region Two for use in the far-flung communities. What is not known is why the use of such an asset had been discontinued. Visits to the NAREI, Anna Regina office have not been very fruitful, re the location of this very essential piece of agricultural equipment.

Editor, placing emphasis on a hinterland agricultural programme is a great initiative. However, farmers, to become more involved in food production and of course at yearly exhibitions should, to a greater extent, be afforded the opportunity to prove themselves with the necessary encouragement and support. More attention should be trained towards hinterland farming now than ever before and effective insect-pest control must be a matter of policy, for, as a matter of course, the hinterland will soon become the only alternative agricultural area in Guyana. Emphasis is needed, or we will continue to have lackluster-type participation in future from the hinterland communities in Region Two, to showcase our potential.

Yours truly,
Joseph C Atkinson
(Indigenous first and foremost)