Agriculture Month activities get underway…
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, addresses the gathering
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, addresses the gathering

Opportunities for youth in agriculture underscored at GSA’s open day

OPPORTUNITIES in the agriculture sector was one of the main points that Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, honed in on, yesterday, as he addressed over 200 students at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) open day, which is the first of several activities to mark Agriculture Month, 2014.

Students review one of the booths that were part of GSA’s open-day exhibition
Students review one of the booths that were part of GSA’s open-day exhibition

“Agriculture is our vehicle for sustained growth, social growth and social prosperity,” he said, at the GSA’s Plant Science building.
In addition to students from the GSA, students from secondary schools on the East and West Coast, as well as Georgetown, were in attendance. There were also representatives from the diplomatic corps, the European Union (EU) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) present.
GSA’s open day was hosted under the theme: “Promotion of youth in agriculture” and the Minister of Agriculture disclosed that there are many opportunities in the agriculture sector that students can take advantage of.
He stated that the introduction and use of new technologies is one new area of opportunity, which will also aid in ensuring the sustainability of the sector.
The testing and use of new technologies to advance the operations of the agriculture sector are already underway, according to Dr. Ramsammy.
He pointed to the testing of bio-fertilisers as one example of the use of this technology, amid other efforts by the GSA, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

HOME OF AGRI

A section of the gathering at yesterday’s activity
A section of the gathering at yesterday’s activity

The minister also told the gathering that GSA is the “home of agriculture” whose establishment, 51 years ago, was based on a dream to have Guyana’s agriculture sector contribute to the food security of the nation, as well as become an important exporter of food to other countries.
“This dream has been realised,” he said.
However, he highlighted that presently there is a broader vision for the sector; one that will see a diversified agriculture sector, that will be an even more important pillar of the local economy, than it is now.
To this end, Guyana’s Vision for Agriculture 2020 seeks to change the view that agriculture is for subsistence livelihoods, while it also seeks to promote agriculture as a wealth generator and entrepreneurial enterprise, producing food and non-food commodities to meet local and export demands – a vision that represents many opportunities.
The Agriculture Strategy 2013-2020 is based on the F-5 Strategic Approach for Agriculture. The F-5 Strategic Approach is as follows:
* Food Security – Consolidating the End of Hunger in Guyana, ensuring everyone has enough food in every community;
* Fibre and Nutritious Food Accessible by citizens – Nutrition Security for All;
* Fuel Production – helping to develop alternative fuel sources, reducing dependency on fossil fuel and creating a Bio-Energy Industry in Guyana;
* Fashion and Health Products – An Agro-Processing industry which creates a new industry in Guyana; and
* Furniture and Craft – An industry which we expect to grow in importance in Guyana.
Guyana, the minister said, has recorded successes that the nation can be proud of. “We have come a long way…there is still a long road ahead, but we should all feel a sense of pride,” he said.

CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES
According to him, family farming is the foundation on which Guyana’s agriculture sector was built, adding that the successes of the agriculture sector has been the result of small farmers’ investments on family farms.
“This year we aim to raise the profile on family farming and the role of small farmers as they have been playing a significant role in the development of Agriculture in Guyana; and for Agriculture Month 2014, we will celebrate their accomplishments,” he said.
The Agriculture Minister, despite the sector’s success, however, acknowledged that there are challenges, including climate change and the increasingly problematic anti-microbial resistance in the sector.
As such, he reiterated the sector’s focus on sustainability, via the replacement of unsustainable practices with initiatives that will ensure the sustained success of the sector.
Dr. Ramsammy also pointed to Guyana’s large food- import bill, which he says is an area that represents an opportunity for local farmers, since they can supply the demand for imported foods, which include carrots and corn.
Another possible market he highlighted; was that of the coconut industry, particularly since coconut products, including coconut water and virgin coconut oil, are in large demand worldwide.
“There are opportunities,” he stressed.
On this note, the minister underscored the need for youth to get on board and involved with a sector, which has a promising future.
“Agriculture month is a chance to set the stage to consolidate our gains and make greater advances,” he said.
Also addressing the gathering were Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GSA, Mr. Brian Greenidge, who pointed to the need for greater involvement of youths in the agriculture sector, a move that will reduce the average age of Guyana’s farmers.
The School’s Dean of Academic Affairs, Mr. Oscar Glasgow, also delivered remarks, urging youths to take the opportunity of GSA’s open day to enlighten themselves on the many possible careers they could have in the sector.
Managing Director of the Guyana Marketing Corporation, Mr. Nizam Hassan, also made a presentation on the current agricultural policies and the role of youth in the development of agriculture in Guyana – a further encouragement for youth involvement.
After the presentation, the students reviewed an interesting exhibition, which was a highlight of the open-day.
This month’s activities are being held under the theme: “Enhancing agriculture through family farming and the use of sustainable technologies.”

(By Vanessa Narine)

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