…first phase to commence in two weeks in Region Seven
THE Ministry of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has inked an agreement at the cost of $30M with Rid-O-Pest, in an effort to step up control of the acoushi ants pest.
And Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud made it clear that there can be no value in investing in expanding and diversifying the agriculture sector – in the interest of food security – without focusing on pest control.
He said, “Acoushi ants are a problem and they threaten food security.”
Persaud was among other sector stakeholders that witnessed the signing of the agreement in the ministry’s boardroom and the agreement is expected to facilitate the use of chemicals to control the acoushi ants in a more aggressive manner.
The agreement was signed by Director of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, and General Manager of Rid-O-Pest, Mr. Timothy Tucker, who pointed out that his company has the benefit of 28 years of experience in pest control.
The agriculture minister explained that this new initiative will complement the distribution of the ant bait produced by NAREI, as well as the distribution of chemicals to farming communities, especially hinterland communities.
Persaud stated that while helpful, these methods are limited,                     and so Regions One (Barima/ Waini), Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/ Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/ Essequibo) are expected to benefit from the new agreement, and so will several coastal communities in Regions Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice).
Region Seven, according to Persaud, will be the first to benefit when the heightened pest control campaign starts in two weeks time.
“We are doing this in phases,” he said.
The minister stated that the chemicals to be used by Rid-O-Pest are environmentally friendly and have been tested and proven effective against the acoushi ants.
Persaud added that this endeavour is also part of the expanded support for hinterland agriculture.