LAST WEEK, we took a break at the point where we were looking at some of the developments taking place in the agricultural sector, and the last issue that was being discussed was the billions of dollars that have been expended on strengthening infrastructure in sea defenses; improving drainage and irrigation; and early-warning systems. Now read on: Then there is the Agriculture Diversification Programme (ADP), which is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank at cost of US$21.9M with counterpart funding from the Government of Guyana of US$1.1M.  The programme targets an increase in the export of non-traditional agricultural commodities and it seeks to establish services and institutions for a sustainable increase in the income derived from the export of non-traditional agricultural exports in the aquaculture, fruits and vegetables, and livestock sub-sectors such as beef, peppers, pumpkins, plantains and farm grown fish, particularly tilapia.
Under the ADP program, some US$3M rehabilitation in Drainage and Irrigation works was executed in the Canal Number One Polder area. Another US$10M has been allocated to repair control structures such as sluices, pump stations, channels and access roads in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).
During the 2009-2010 El Nino intervention, the Ministry executed programmes to mitigate some $1.5B in agriculture losses. Approximately $250M were spent to ensure adequate amounts of water were stored in the conservancies, all irrigation canals cleared and irrigation pumps mobilized with another $258M being earmarked to mitigate those conditions. These are just a few of the costs associated with adapting and mitigating climatic impacts and which represent a mere fraction of the cost of inaction.
In 2008, with grant support in the amount of $US3.8M financed by the Special Climate Change Fund of the World Bank’s Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the government initiated the implementation of the Conservancy Adaptation Project (CAP). The CAP seeks to reduce the vulnerability to catastrophic flooding of the low-lying coastal area of Guyana that is currently threatened by sea level rise.
In 2009, the European Commission (EC) and the government signed an agreement establishing the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) 2008-2013, under which 14.8 million Euros will be invested for rehabilitation of sea defence and coastal management. Through this programme, the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP) is being executed.
In 2009, the new Doppler Weather Watch Tower was commissioned which provides a 24-hour weather service, allowing for the timely dissemination of weather forecasting to key stakeholders including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). The timely provision of this information allows sufficient lead-time for the NDIA and other sector agencies to respond in the most appropriate manner.
Additionally, as a means towards adaptation and development, Guyana has been advancing its ADP aimed at making agriculture more competitive in a changing global climate. Investments are being made in research and development to improve specie resilience and adaptability such as new breeds in livestock; non-traditional vegetables and rice, among others. Agriculture health facilities such as the Biological Control Lab, Pesticide Lab and Veterinary Diagnostic Lab are being rehabilitated and upgraded to provide modern laboratory services for the sector. The capacity of the research institutions, such as the National Agricultural Research Institution (NARI), are also being strengthened to identify drought tolerant and flood tolerant species; mapping of soils identified for new crop cultivation; developing crop profiles, including available and potential markets for rice, soybean, corn, spices and others identified for cultivation. There is also the establishment of a Seed Germ Plasm Lab; a Genetic Bank and training and capacity building of personnel.
Aquaculture development is a key economic activity articulated through the LCDS for large scale investment with lucrative returns, although the impact of climate change on aquaculture is uncertain. Guyana has developed a Fisheries Management Plan to support expansion and development of the fishery sector and recently hosted its first ever Fisher-folk Convention.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said addressing climate change is not a one of something, rather it is a process
“Some of the impacts of these interventions you can feel immediately, but a lot of them are long term. To build a climate resilient system to adapt to climate change takes some time,” he said.
Persaud noted that monitoring and evaluation of these activities is a must, so that adjustments can be made along the way.
Private Sector Involvement
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, echoed similar sentiments and said the business community is gradually becoming increasingly ‘green’ conscious.
He explained that several businesses are piloting various initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
Others, Dookhoo said, are exploring different opportunities, especially in the manufacturing sector, available in rapidly changing business environment.
“The old businesses are getting greener and the newer ventures are completely green…things are changing and the business landscape is changing with it,” he said.
A Business Voice of the Green Economy, www.greenbiz.com, was launched in 2000 and in a 2008 report, ‘The State of Green Business’, it noted that companies seem to be competing with each other to go green.
GreenBiz’s mission is to provide clear, concise, accurate, and balanced information, resources, and learning opportunities to help companies of all sizes and sectors integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that supports profitable business practices.
According to a GreenBiz there are 13 big ways that can help small companies go green:
1.Buy energy efficient office products and equipment such as energy-saving light bulbs. There is a plethora of electronic equipment and appliances that boast they are green friendly and athe cost is getting more and more responsible;
2.Buy green products for cleaning around your company. There are many green options for hand soap, detergents and dish soaps. Using environmental friendly cleaning products reduces the amounts of pollutants going into streams and rivers.
3.Use less paper – try extra hard to run that paperless office that has been in the works for a decade or more. Only print one copy of a report and distribute throughout the office if everyone needs to read it. Print only the emails that need to be kept as record. Forward as much email as possible. Proofread on the screen more and print fewer drafts of reports and letters;
4.Recycle paper products including newspapers, magazines, printer paper and grocery or other bags. The demand for post-consumer – recycled office products is much higher than the supply which keeps the prices high on post-consumer paper products. Recycling not only saves natural resources – it reduces tons of waste entering the landfills;
5.Consider allowing some employees to telecommute and telecompute from home one or two days a month. Employees have been found to be just as – if not – more productive when working from home – this is a viable option for many companies and can save on gasoline consumption as well as preserving air quality and road maintenance;
6.Recycle old computers and peripherals. Many computer companies such as Dell and HP have implemented “asset recycling” programs where they take back old stuff when you buy new. Staples and Office Depot are also offering e-waste recycling programs;
7.Check with the building landscapers and lawn treatment companies to see if they are or can use green products. Many lawn treatment chemicals are becoming green friendly and the cost is not much different in the long run;
8.Try creating a niche in the green market and produce or provide products and services that are environmentally friendly;
9.Buy biodegradable office supplies. Again, more and more of these products are entering the green arena providing more options and lower prices;
10.    If applicable, switch company-owned vehicles to hybrids. In addition to the contribution of saving the evenvironment – switching vehicles or switching fuels can qualify for tax breaks anywhere from $400 to $40,000 depending on the vechicle or the fuel source;
11.When constructing new buildings, build green. Environmental building supplies is a fast growing sector and many new products are entering the market regularly;
12.Buy organic food or raw materials to use in manufacturing other products. Organic food sections are widening in most grocery stores and include everything from vegetable and produce to potato chips and health and beauty products; and 
13.Get green educated. There is a list of resources below that can help companies find all the ways they too can go green.
To be continued next week!