– successful investments speak for themselves, Persaud tells hundreds at MMA/ADA Open Day
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud contends that farmers are important to the development process of Guyana, and points out that the successful investments made in the agriculture sector speak for themselves.
“Farmers are a special breed and the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/ Civic) has always recognized and supported farmers,” Persaud said at the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) Open Day, held yesterday at the Bath market tarmac, West Coast Berbice.
He noted that compared to the 1990s, the agriculture sector has flourished and has become a significant contributor to growth in Guyana’s economy – a success Persaud credits to hard working and resilient farmers.

The Agriculture Minister reminded the hundreds in attendance that the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan had perpetually advanced investments and policies in support of the agriculture sector, and made it clear that the current administration has seen the continuance of this legacy.
Persaud noted too that the MMA/ADA itself was the vision of Dr. Jagan – a vision that reflected the party’s commitment to providing better opportunities for farmers.
He said the MMA/ADA, through the central Government, has invested significantly in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice).    
“We will continue to invest in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice) as we have across the country…as a government we ensure that we take an even-handed approach to development in our country,” Persaud posited.
He made it clear that the investments over the years speak to the support given to farmers.
On this note, he lashed out at opposition entities that have charged that the current administration’s provision of material support is a political tactic used during this elections season.
Persaud pointed out that material support, as well as technical support, has always been given to farmers across the country, as part of the Agriculture Ministry’s outreach programme.
The total allocation for the agriculture sector is some $9.1B, in this year’s 2011 budget, and the Agriculture Minister contends that the sector is now poised to further expand its services to farmers, rural farming communities and other stakeholders.
“We will not be deterred from investing in our people,” Persaud posited.
He pointed to the sector’s state prior to 1992, noting that sugar production was very poor and rice production was below 100,000 tonnes.
Persaud stressed that while there have been challenges, the sector has done well, especially in the area of rice production, as 2011 is expected to close with the highest production in history, with over 400,000 tonnes.

The minister made it clear that success has been recorded in all sectors, and in recent weeks, in aquaculture.
“This week we made our first export with a shipment to the United States…we are exporting to the Caribbean already,” he said.
Continued support for aquaculture, he said, will be facilitated through the Agriculture Diversification Programme (ADP) being piloted by the Ministry of Agriculture. The ADP makes provisions for support, which include technical support and other resources.
Farm-grown fish, particularly tilapia, as well as pacu and hassar, some of the newest farm-raised seafood, are being produced through aquaculture.
Persaud lauded the investments made by the private sector in pursing aquaculture – a move that is reflective of the investors’ confidence in the current administration, whose policies and programmes continue to bolster the success that aquaculture realizes.
The fisheries sector in Guyana contributes approximately three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), earning between US$50M and US$55M over the last five years. Moreover, the sector employs close to 1,300 people, and with continued emphasis on the development of aquaculture, the sector is expected to contribute significantly more to the advancement of Guyana.
Currently, there are several fish farmers and the current administration has identified several areas for aquaculture activities, including Mahaica and Mahaicony, Region 5 (Demerara/ Mahaica), and different locations in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne).
Region 5 is the largest producer in the agriculture sector.
Persaud maintains that it is well known that the agriculture sector has the greatest growth multiplier, and as such, is crucial to the growth and development of the economy.