Government’s continuum of interventions in Agriculture sector

DURING the height of the global food crisis, when people in even developed countries were rioting for food, Guyana was intensifying its agricultural drive and this was heightened when, in the 2008 budget, Government catered for more than $2.8B for drainage and irrigation to address the issues of widening and rehabilitation of drainage relief canals, effective management of the water retention system of the conservancies, construction of additional pumping stations, dredging of outfall channels and related activities.

The objective was to create the infrastructure that would foster increased agriculture production, increased yields and promote agricultural diversification.

Under the PRCSSP programme, in excess of 8000 acres of new farm lands were opened up in Regions 2 and 3. Areas including Aliki, Lanaballi, Berri, Bissiballi, Morashi, Pomeroon and Bethany Supenaam Creek have benefited from capital injection to an excess of $950M.

Diversification and introduction of various crops have been facilitated through various mechanisms to ensure food security and job and wealth-creation activities and opportunities in hitherto unproductive hinterland communities, while boosting the productive capacity of communities that had laggardly produced minimum output for mainly personal consumption to include a financial factor.
In addition, under this programme, a revolving fund was developed with an excess of $350M being disbursed to protect beneficiaries, primarily farmers. In order to improve the quality and marketability of our produce to meet Regional and international specification, a state-of-the-art packaging and storage facility was constructed at the approximate cost of $90M.

Transportation cost has always been an issue for farmers in determining cost of production and eventual retail prices to consumers. Recognising this, Government has expended approximately $1B dollars in farm to market access roads under this programme alone.

The development of our dairy and meat industry is also crucial in approaching the issue of food production holistically; therefore the capital injection in an excess of $100M in the development and expansion of cattle pastures is also laudable.

The PPP administration has also initiated the ‘Grow More Food’ campaign, which is aimed at encouraging farmers, urban communities, producers of fisheries and livestock, present and potential investors to increase food production to satisfy local and international demands.
To this end, the Government established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on food and prices, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture.

As part of this campaign, packets of seeds and units of planting material are periodically distributed.

In addition, hinterland communities have had free distribution of acoushi ants control chemicals and baits to support their agriculture drive.
Other initiatives include the launching of countrywide consultations on food prices, continued engagement and interaction of stakeholders and sectors to build national support for all interventions.
In Parliament, there was a motion on food prices to build national consensus on the way forward for food production.
Government is focusing on food security for food deficit regions, particularly the mining communities in Region 10.
Resources are being provided to the Region 10 Farmers Association which is dedicated to making the region self- sufficient in food production.
Government is accelerating support for land leases in areas like Dallawalla and West Watooka, where large areas of fertile land are available for cultivation. The LEAP programme will provide additional support, particularly financing from LEAF for the farming community.
Guyana is self-sufficient with poultry products, which is a tribute to producers in this sector.
Government has facilitated the production of corn, sorghum and cassava as local inputs for stock feed for birds and animals.
The increased price of poultry is a reflection of the price of raw materials which has increased significantly. Guyana has the opportunity to be a major supplier of poultry products to Barbados and Trinidad, since there are well established shipping arrangements to these destinations.
One of the major factors that has an impact on food security is the price of diesel and gasoline. The Government made successive reductions of taxes on fuel.
Since 2007, Government made several interventions which have contributed to cushion the rise in the cost of living and the price of food items.
There is zero rating of basic food items when VAT was implemented. Government is currently spending hundreds of millions to minimise the increase in the price of flour and free importation of this product.
Government has entered into the distribution of flour and rice at various centres at about 30% less than vendors’ prices. Billions of dollars are spent on absorbing the escalating cost of water from GWI and electricity from GPL, thus allowing more disposable income for the vulnerable and poor, especially our pensioners.
Guyana’s self-sufficiency from local food production is therefore assured, with Government’s continuity of requisite interventions and efficient management systems.
Through the Jagdeo Initiative, Guyana is also poised to be the bread basket of CARICOM.
Government’s enlightened policy for the agriculture sector will advance the growth of the entire economy and ensure sustained food security for Guyana for generations to come.

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