– communication enhances security and market access
THE establishment and strengthening of communication mechanisms in the agriculture sector are evidence of the high premium Government has put on security and equal access for all stakeholders.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that in recent months, there have been two major moves to strengthen security and market access through the use of information communication technology (ICT): the establishment of a state-of-the-art communication network that covers 80 percent of the fishing co-op societies; and the launch of the Agriculture Marketing Information System (AMIS).

Over the years, many fisher folk have complained of the high prevalence on piracy and its direct negative impact on the fishing sector.

In response, the Ministry of Agriculture mounted a robust anti-piracy fight. Essential to this fight is the establishment of an unprecedented communication system that networks approximately 80% of fishing co-op societies.

This close to $50M communication mechanism makes links among the Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force and the Fishing Society possible. Stakeholders can subscribe by purchasing handsets and getting connected. In the event of any act of piracy, fisher folk can contact the Coast Guard or their co-ops to seek help through this communication system.

AMIS, launched on July 1 this year, is a comprehensive and cohesive database that captures pertinent market information on key commodities such as fruits, vegetables and rice.

This communication mechanism is the outcome of months of discussions and collaboration between the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, and cellular giant Digicel.

Farmers, agro-processors, exporters, agri-business investors and residents across the country, with the use of the Digicel Short Messaging Service, can access market prices of the aforementioned commodities. With the use of a handset, subscribers are required to type in the name of the commodity – ‘rice’, for example – and send message to 1010. Within seconds, a response is received.

Through AMIS, farmers who did not have reliable means of knowing market prices – especially farmers within the hinterland and rural communities – can now have such crucial information at their finger tips.