AGROTEC Spa, an Italy-based company, in association with Fraser and Housty attorneys-at-law, yesterday signed a $194.8M contract with the Ministry of Agriculture for a consultancy.

It will provide agriculture health and food safety services under the Agriculture Export Diversification Programme (AEDP).

The three-year deal will see, among other things:

* the provision of guidance in the development of a comprehensive policy and a strategic plan for agricultural health and food safety;

* the establishment of a system for organisation and maintenance of equipment;

* the establishment of a database and information system;

* the improvement of regulation procedures and evaluation for tuberculosis, brucellosis and rabies;

* the strengthening of epidemiology surveillance;

* the establishment of a system for risk analysis, inspection, quality assurance and livestock identification;

* preparation of laboratories and facilitation of accreditation;

* the improvement of diagnostics methodology, techniques and procedures;

* the improvement of organisation, procedures, performance and inspection of quarantine system and

* the establishment of a system of registry and control of veterinary drugs, biologicals and livestock inputs.

Landmark step

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, speaking at the signing in his Vlissengen Road Ministry, said the occasion is another landmark step in shoring-up activities in the livestock sector.

He said the work of the consultants will move the sector from an ordinary level of agriculture, animal health and safety management to one that is internationally recognised.

Mr. Persaud said this will make Guyana a greater force to be reckoned with on the international market.

He also noted that the award, which will see a total revamping of the management of the livestock sector, was won in a transparent tendering process.

Through the undertaking, 11 foreign experts will be working with local counterparts to ensure quality delivery and Persaud called on the Italian company to perform in an efficient and timely manner, so that the Government obtains value for its money.

He announced that, very soon, the Government will seek, through Parliament, to have the Guyana Development Livestock Board, a semi-autonomous agency take over some of the functions in the project.

Referring to developments in the livestock industry, Persaud said, over the years, local farmers have been able to satisfy domestic consumption, particularly cattle and made inroads in a few overseas markets.

He said, under the AEDP, strides are being made to expand into other export markets which concommittantly will directly increase farmers’ income.

Noteworthy investments

Persaud said the Government has recognised the potential of the livestock sector and made several noteworthy investments to improve animal breed and physical infrastructure.

He said, among those are availability of more pastures and veterinarians, implementation of relevant technology, as well as continuous efforts to acquire new breed animals to enhance the local stock.

Agrotec Spa International Coordinator, Mr. William Marsman said the ambitious scheme, which requires the involvement of the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, spawns six agencies and will be in full swing on January 1, 2010.

Project Manager, Ms. Laura Alessi expressed gratitude to the Government for choosing her company to execute the important task.

The AEDP seeks to increase export as well as income in the agriculture sector at a sustainable level.

The purpose of this programme is to see the establishment of services and institutions facilitating a sustainable rise in earnings from export of non-traditional agricultural output in the aquaculture, fruits and vegetables and livestock sub-sectors.

It also aims to enhance the protection of domestic consumers from illnesses, production diseases and contamination.