WITH reference to an article published by Stabroek News on September 20, 2010 with the caption ‘Laluni Farmers Need Assistance’, the Guyana Agricultural Producers’ Association (GAPA) wishes to categorically denounce the insinuations that farmers of Laluni never received any forms of assistance from GAPA.

It was GAPA that distributed chemical and seeds, among other things to the group, which was also advised to submit a proposal to GAPA for additional support. The proposal from the group never materialized.

During the outreach visit to the community, farmers were advised to resuscitate the farmers group and register with GAPA, to which they comply. No further representation was made to GAPA to assist farmers within Laluni.
GAPA continues to assist through the Ministry of Agriculture and it’s agencies to provide support to farmers and farmers’ groups.

Over the last year, GAPA continued to provide assistance in the form of fertilizer, seeds, chemical, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to farmers’ groups across Guyana.

Also, GAPA – through the Ministry of Agriculture – organized training of 48 farmers from Laluni at the Laluni Community Centre on 12th October, 2009.

The training was facilitated by representatives from the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, Plant Health, National Agricultural Research Institute and Guyana Marketing Corporation in a combined effort to provide training in the following areas: Chemical Usage, Post Harvest Management, Farm Certification, Agriculture Diversification, Marketing,  Product Pricing and Costing,  Exporting to Caribbean & Overseas, Agro Processing & Good Manufacturing Practices, and  Preparation of Produce for the Export Market.
Further, the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority executed works in excess of $4M to support farmers of Laluni by clearing Laluni Canal No. 1 – 400 rods, Laluni Canal No. 2 – 400 rods, Laluni Canal No. 3 – 400 rods, Laluni Canal No. 4 – 400 rods, Laluni Canal No. 5 – 400 rods, Laluni Main Canal – 400 rods.

These works were undertaken in 2007/2008 with the understanding that farmers will maintain the canals.

In addition, although the Ministry of Agriculture do have responsibility for access roads, in an effort to support the farmers of Laluni, the Ministry expended in excess of $2M to facilitate the  grading of the Laluni access dam in 2007/2008.

The Guyana Agricultural Producers’ Association, which represents non-traditional farmers, finds it appalling that Stabroek News did not seek a comment or clarification before publishing its article that seeks to maul the positive developments resulting from the Grow More Food Campaign.

Notwithstanding the challenges which are outstripped by opportunities, GAPA will continue to work closely with non-traditional farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and other agencies to build upon our recently ‘food secure status’ as announced by the FAO of the United Nations.