GSA graduation…
THE Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), on Friday at the GSA Mon Repos Campus, held its 46th graduation exercise with Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud stressing that the “take-off” in the agriculture sector demands competent personnel to deal well with complex issues in a changing sector.
Ninety-four students graduated this year and the minister urged that even though the challenges may be daunting, they should look for the opportunities that may arise.
The Agriculture Minister explained that education translates into changes in the development paradigm and added that the agriculture sector, a major area for development, has historically been the bedrock for economic development in Guyana.
“A prerequisite for success has to be a functional comprehensive agriculture education institute to have the realisation and development of the country’s potential,” he said.
In this context, Persaud said GSA’s role is defined and he lauded the institution for its contributions to supporting food security and sovereignty, adding that the ongoing investments in the sector will allow the institution to have more extensive and quality programmes.
The Minister stated that it is necessary to have graduates that are not only technically competent but also capable of creative thinking, both necessary for a changing sector.
“The agriculture sector requires a new set of skills…the challenges require quick, careful thinking to respond to market structures and consumer demand in a dynamic way,” he said.
He observed that agriculture is one of the world’s biggest businesses.
Persaud alluded to the ‘Jagdeo Initiative’ which identifies and defines key, crucial and binding constraints to agricultural repositioning in the Caribbean Region.
The ‘Jagdeo Initiative’ aims to develop and implement targeted, focused and practical interventions at both the regional and national levels to overcome the constraints.
This exercise, spearheaded by President Bharrat Jagdeo, has been endorsed throughout the Caribbean for its thorough analysis of the state of agriculture, its hard look at internal and external factors, and for deepening the discussion of fundamental areas that need improvement, reform and/or initiation.
Limited financing and inadequate new investments, outdated and inefficient agricultural health and food safety systems, inadequate research and development, and a fragmented and unorganized private sector are some of the constraints identified. Insufficient land and water distribution and management systems, deficient and uncoordinated risk management measures and inadequate transport systems are other elements outlined in the initiative.
“Among these constraints are lack of skills and quality human resource and inadequate research and development, hence the importance of GSA,” Persaud said.
The Minister said a growing world population and the increased need for food production will require a unique, substantial response.
To this end, he urged the GSA graduates to look at the wealth of opportunities and envision themselves not only as employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, or any other body, but as entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs

Persaud told the graduates that as employers, rather than employees, they will be taking on an important role in Guyana’s advancement to becoming a regional leader in food production.
“We have a far way to go and you have a key role to get all of us to where we want to see this sector and country,” he said.
Vice Chancellor at the University, Dr. Lawrence Carrington, echoed this call for an entrepreneurial spirit in delivering his charge to the graduates.
He said a step in this direction is one that must be taken since success in the agricultural sector depends on an entrepreneurial spirit.
Carrington added that there must be a recognition that this is not an individual foray; rather it is a developmental action that impacts a cross section.
The Vice Chancellor also charged the students to take responsibility for themselves and their future; be resourceful and do the best they can with the little they have; be innovative, something that comes from understanding the sector and its strengths and weaknesses; and maintain contact with the social environment, the community “that produced you.”
The Chairman of GSA’s Board of Directors, Mr. Rudolph Gajraj, said “the school has done well over the last year…the GSA, in existence for 47 years, has come a long way and contributed to the development of the people and the country.”
He added that there are challenges, but announced that certain measures will be put in place to address these.

Efforts

Gajraj said some of these efforts include revisiting the curriculum to assess the relevance in a changing sector, in particular with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS); revamped focus on the Mathematics and English remedial programmes; development of the library and Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities; more stringent enforcement of campus discipline through the Disciplinary Code of Conduct, since there was a problem of narcotic drug use which was addressed; student guidance for new students to help them along; improved administration; and a major overhaul of the maintenance and cafeteria details.
Additionally, the graduation report was given by the Chief Executive Officer of GSA, Mr. Brian Greenidge.
Of the 94 graduates only one finished with a distinction, Mr. Navindra Gossai; 25 finished with higher credits, five with lower credits and the rest with passes.
The courses included a Diploma in Agriculture, a Certificate in Agriculture, a Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, a Certificate in Forestry and a Certificate in Fisheries Studies.
GSA’s mission is to promote and support the development of sustainable agriculture and forestry through technological advancement and the theoretical and practical training of individuals pursuing careers in agriculture and forestry.