Globally, every year we face different, and sometimes even opposing sets of challenges that impact on us locally. Last year we were in the midst of the global financial crisis, which led to a global economic downturn, and had just come out of the global food price crisis. According to the World Bank, World GDP contracted by as much as 2.2% in 2009 as a result. High-income countries experienced a decline of 3.3% in GDP on average, with many among them recording even higher contractions. Developing countries, though relatively unscathed by the first-round effect of the financial crisis, were impacted by the global economic downturn that followed, and were only able to achieve a modest increase of 1.2%, compared to 5.6% in 2008.
Despite the global recession, the effects of climate change, and a volatile environment for international commodity markets, the significant amount of work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2009 enabled the agricultural sector to achieve a growth of 1.3%, with sugar, rice, livestock and other crops all achieving positive growth rates.
Over the last year, the MoA continued its efforts on creating the conditions required for the transformation of the agricultural sector. Particular emphasis was placed on improving competitiveness through the various ongoing diversification and modernization programmes in 2009, in line with the country’s National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS). At the same time, the Ministry sought to use its resources towards fighting poverty and reducing vulnerability in all areas of the country. In moving forward to 2010, the Ministry continued and consolidated its modernization and diversification drive aimed at transforming the agricultural sector, with greater importance given to services and support to farmers.  Thus, 2010/2011 will be devoted to sustaining the “big push” on all fronts so that we can finally move from considering the potential of the agricultural sector and all its sub-sectors towards realizing it.
This year’s Budget theme: “Consolidate, Transform, Sustain” is particularly pertinent to the agriculture sector – a more diversified and competitive agricultural sector that is flexible and dynamic. To take advantage of the opportunities presented in the constantly changing environment is the goal of  Government’s vision for the sector and I am confident that with the investments and programmes the MoA has put in place, and in partnership with the private sector, the international community, farmers and exporters, this vision will be achieved.
It is well-known that the agricultural sector has the greatest growth multiplier and, as such, is crucial for the growth and development of our economy. The GoG has therefore allocated over G$8B to the agricultural sector in 2010. These investments are expected to deliver an agricultural sector growth of 5.5% in 2010, with the greatest contribution to it coming from the sugar sector.
In the area of climate change, the GoG has continued to make significant progress regarding the promoting of its LCDS. Consultations were conducted in several Amerindian communities throughout Guyana to discuss the various issues regarding climate change.  In addition, regional workshops were held to discuss the REDD + Programme and to develop similar strategies for Suriname, Belize and Dominica.  After these various consultations, the final draft of the LCDS was approved in Parliament.  Further, the GoG has signed a US$5M MOU with the Government of Norway to foster partnership as it relates to climate change.  This is the first agreement on climate change signed by a developed and a developing country, as noted by the Minister of Finance.  In addition, Guyana stands to gain from the UNFCCC’s fund that has been allotted to developing countries to fight the effects of climate change.
The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to chart a course for sustainable agricultural development by creating the necessary enabling environment for farmers/investors to take advantage of the lucrative opportunities available regionally and further afield.