-Agriculture Minister at Region Two consultation
THE Agriculture Ministry, yesterday, took the Guyana National Food and Nutrition Security Strategy to Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), where over 100 stakeholders were involved in consultation at the Anna Regina Town Hall. Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, stressed that the development of the strategy is Guyana’s preparation for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities. He told the group, the majority of whom were farmers, that the strategy better positions Guyana to address the challenges of tomorrow and, at the same time, benefit from the opportunities which present themselves.
“We can benefit or suffer from what happens globally…what happens globally impacts production and demand locally, impacts local farming enterprises,” Persaud explained.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud speaking at the consultation in Region Two.
The Agriculture Minister explained that in an increasingly globalised world the strategy will not only ensure Guyana’s food secured status, but would also ensure that the country is able to respond to global changes.

Road Map
Persaud called the Strategy a roadmap for all stakeholders moving forward to improve the local agriculture sector.
He added that in the move forward there is a need for more training, to assist farmers to do more, to develop enterprises and go beyond production of agricultural crops.
The Agriculture Minster suggested the move to other post-harvest activities, in particular increased involvement in marketing, among other undertakings.
According to him, the ‘roadmap’ will see a directed focus when it comes to value added.
“What happens elsewhere affects us, and what we do now will prepare us to benefit in the future,” he said.
Persaud pointed out that the National Food and Nutrition Security Strategy also supports the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
He explained that land use change and agriculture offer opportunities for carbon mitigation through carbon sequestration and bio-fuel production.
The Agriculture Minister reiterated that once the consultations are completed all stakeholders will be reading from one roadmap, as the local agriculture sector advances.
“You must never be satisfied with the current state of things,” he urged, “While we have made progress and continue to invest there is more work to do.”
Immediate Needs
In that context, the Agriculture Minster acknowledged that there are immediate issues which need to be addressed.
Persaud said while some strategizing is being done for the future, emphasis remains on the day to day activities.
He said several areas are being addressed including drainage and irrigation, support to both small and large farmers for financing, improvement in extension services, diversification and value added products.
Some of the successes to date, according to him, are the recent launch of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the launch of a $220M financial facility for small farmers.
In Region Two, he observed that initiatives in 2011 will include: a $20M sluice at La Belle Alliance, a $10M timber revetment, and the purchase of a $50M pontoon to assist in maintaining the outfall in the region, among other major undertakings.
He pointed to the $9.1B expenditures for the agriculture sector, approved by the National Assembly, Thursday, and said the Ministry will be moving into full gear with the work programme for 2011.
Persaud contends that the agricultural sector is the greatest growth multiplier and added that the investments are expected to deliver much growth.
The Agriculture Minister fielded questions from the stakeholders gathered and primarily queries raised from foreign investors, the role of the New Guyana Manufacturing Corporation (GMC) and the need for support in the area of water supply and management.
Persaud explained that there are a number of foreign proposals being reviewed, which would support the agricultural thrust and made it clear that GMC supports and facilitates marketing activities.
On the issue of water management, one farmer suggested that water from the Cuyuni River be brought over to support the cultivation of increase acreage of lands.
The Agriculture Minister stated that caution needs to be exercised in such a move, but gave assurance of a study to assess the feasibility of such an undertaking.
He made it clear that propelling the sector forward will depend on successful partnerships.

Persaud said the involvement of stakeholders, the close partnership on the way forward, is a clear indication of support for the vision of tomorrow – to improve food production for people in and out of Guyana.
To date, a national consultation was held in Georgetown to target the coastland stakeholders and is expected to be reviewed by others in Regions One (Barima/ Waini), Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/ Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/ Essequibo) in the coming months.
Persaud stated that the consultation process will see the realities of the entire population accounted for, as well as engender a sense of association with the completed framework.
Piloted by the Agriculture Ministry, other government agencies and civil society groups, as well as the United Nation’s (UN) Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) were involved in drafting the National Food and Nutrition Security Strategy (2010-2020).
Under the Strategy, the main objectives are to:
o Help ensure immediate access to food in emergency contexts;
o Rebuild and enhance resilience to withstand shocks;
o Support longer term development initiatives for hunger and poverty reduction;
o Take stock of national, regional and global initiatives directed at improving food security coordination with a view to encouraging convergence and avoiding duplication among such initiatives;
o Improve the sharing of information on food security and nutrition policies and programmes undertaken by national and regional stakeholders by reviewing them;
o Inform the National Assembly about successes achieved as well as the challenges and needs to reduce hunger and malnutrition in Guyana;
o Ensure agricultural trade fosters food security;
o Promote rural development;
o Enhance women’s access to resources;
o Ensure children and other vulnerable groups have access to food; and
o Ensure sustainable incomes of small producers.
The 10-year Strategy offers opportunities for a wider range of national stakeholders to play a more prominent role in combating hunger and food insecurity thus allowing all citizens to achieve food security.