GOVERNMENT is sparing no effort in its drive to improve and boost the agriculture sector, particularly in relation to farming techniques in the face of climate change and its effects. This process was further advanced Wednesday as the Ministry of Agriculture held a farmers’ open day.
The event at the National Agricultural Research Institute’s Horticulture Station, Kairuni, Soesdyke-Linden  Highway, also saw a shade house commissioned through a collaborative effort with the Humanitarian Assistance Programme of the US embassy.
The initiative, which will pave the way for farmers and residents of Kairuni and neighbouring communities to further enhance agricultural production, is in keeping with the ministry’s ‘Grow More’ Food campaign.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, delivering remarks, expressed appreciation to the Humanitarian Assistance Programme for its continuous support within the agriculture sector over the years.
He noted that the shade houses not only showcase the different types of agriculture techniques available, but also demonstrate the Ministry’s thrust to advance and utilise new and relevant technologies.
“We want to ensure that this type of support complements our strategic objective, which is to build a competitive and resilient agriculture sector. Last Friday (November 19), we had an important seminar which is also in sync with climate smart agriculture,” he said.
Climate change impacts negatively on the availability, stability, access and utilization of food; and according to the minister, the shade house will significantly ease the pressure on production, since farmers can only cultivate their produce according to the weather patterns.
“Across the country, we are working with farmers to have more such facilities, because when we have a shade house or a green house facility, it allows us to have agriculture and to manage the activities throughout the vagaries of the system,” the Minister added.
As it relates to exports, he said that the technology will also allow Guyana to be a more constant supplier of its fruits and vegetables. Farmers were also urged by the minister to utilize the facility to its fullest.
Climate change

One of the focal issues in agriculture, especially in Guyana, is climate change, with which farming communities and food producers must be familiar, to deal with its effects.
As such, Minister Persaud said that the administration’s aim is not to only focus on production, but to also place emphasis on productivity to ensure that farmers benefit from best technologies.
He noted that as the country is now faced with the La Nina weather conditions, a pattern of intense rainfall, farmers must be aware of the effects, so as to adapt to them.
“We are constantly looking at ways in which we can deal with the weather so as to manage the production system throughout the La Nina season as well as the dry; and as farmers, whatever we do, we have to bear in mind that we operate in times when climate change is in fact a serious consideration,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director of the Humanitarian Assistance Programme, Jordan Burfield, said that the US$4,000 initiative will also be used for training farmers to better adapt to climate change.
He noted that the programme has been collaborating with the Agriculture Ministry over the past few months and they are looking forward for future projects. (GINA)