AGRICULTURE Minister Mr. Robert Persaud has exhorted farmers, fishermen and others involved in the forestry and more sub-sectors of agriculture to participate in the low carbon development strategy consultations.

Speaking at a Friday media briefing in his Vlissengen Road, Georgetown office, he said the policy, unveiled by President Bharrat Jagdeo last Monday at Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, addresses a number of areas in the agriculture sector.

Persaud said such participation as he solicited is important as it will help them to not only develop an appreciation and understanding of the thrust but to get an opportunity to contribute to its improvement.

The Minister said his ministry is seeking, as part of the quest, to create a new frontier for agriculture, looking at certain developments in forestry and the opportunities available.

Government, in the next three months, will conduct the consultative process countrywide, including mainly where Amerindians reside in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

A national meeting will also be facilitated, to gather together all elected leaders of the Amerindian peoples.

Persaud said the issue of garnering international support for the approach is very important and President Jagdeo has been leading efforts in this regard.

“Gaining international support is important in moving this effort forward, hence the discussion we have been having with the Norwegians; hence our interaction with a number of multinational institutions; hence the need for our continued presence and involvement at various international fora,” he said.

President Jagdeo, in his Monday speech, had announced that the scheme entails expenditure of some US$1 billion to address long term climate adaptation requirements.

He said it also requires a raft of urgent, near term investments in the highest priority areas which include maintenance and reinforcement of the seawalls, repairs to the conservancies and support for switching to flood resistant crops.