– 54 breeding rams distributed to farmers
As the agriculture sector continues to diversify to include non-traditional crops and focus on aquaculture, significant emphasis is being placed on expansion of the livestock sector, as Government continues to make interventions, one of which is the provision of breeding animals.
During the distribution exercise at the National Agricultural Institute (NARI), Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said that the exercise is aimed at improving the genetics of the livestock sector.
“We have recognised that in our thrust to diversify, that a key area would be livestock; and within the broad livestock heading we have recognised not only the opportunity for food security or internal consumption, but an opportunity in terms of export.”
“As part of our agriculture diversification strategy and part of our long-term plan, specifically for the livestock sector, we have put as a matter of priority genetic improvement, and what you see here today is not the first; in fact every quarter we have such distribution exercises taking place at different locations,” he said.
He noted that it is also to look at ways in which support can be given to farmers countrywide, getting them up to flock size so that eventually Guyana can be a major exporter of meat.
Minister Persaud emphasised that there has been an increase in the interest shown by livestock farmers in the area of agricultural diversification and positive development and enhancement of agricultural practices.
He said the breeding programmes are substantial investments made by the Government towards the support of farmers to allow them to grow and expand their agricultural activities.
Guyana is considered one of the few countries that is self-sufficient in livestock, and according to Minister Persaud, it is Government’s vision to assist the CARICOM region in dealing with its food insecurities and its reliance on imported livestock.
Investments made by Government over the years were aimed at ensuring affordability and developing capabilities to become a major supplier within CARICOM.
“Many of the CARICOM States today import livestock products from as far as New Zealand, some parts of Central America and even as far as Argentina; but we believe that if our farmers are well organised and given the necessary support and marketing and export systems, we can replace some of those suppliers to the Caribbean region, if we are given the opportunity,” the Agriculture Minister assured.
Fifty Four breeding rams were distributed to farmers from Skeldon to the Essequibo Coast.
Minister Persaud, emphasising the need for farmers to practice proper animal health practices, appealed to them to report any veterinary officer who charges for the service.
“Any vet from the Ministry of Agriculture who charges you for service, I’m not talking about medication, but service, you should report them because they are paid to offer you a free service. We are one of the few countries that provide this type of service free and every region in our country is covered,” he said.
The Ministry currently has 18 veterinary doctors who supply free services and the Ministry is now working to expand this to 24. But medication has to be paid for.
He said that if the country is to realise its vision of being a leading meat exporter to the Caribbean Region, there are steps that will have to be taken. These include genetic improvement, developing animal health care, enhancing diagnostic and slaughtering facilities, and developing market facilities.
Meanwhile, NARI’s Director, Dr. Oudo Homenauth, encouraged farmers to practice proper feeding systems and de-worming, and utilising suitable pastures if they are to receive maximum benefit from their investments.
The breeding programme commenced in 2007 and thus far, has seen the importation of hybrid animals from Suriname and the United States. The animals’ offspring were distributed to farmers in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five Six, Seven and Ten.
As part of this exercise, the texel embryo programme was also launched by NARI and to date over 100 lambs were produced.
The programme is a collective effort by the Government of Guyana, through NARI, the United Kingdom’s Department of International Development, and the British Texel society.