Advances in agriculture must continue at accelerated pace
– Ramsammy urges
THE advances in the agriculture sector must continue at an accelerated pace, so that Guyana is recognised as a brand on world markets, said newly sworn in Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. Speaking at a meeting yesterday with heads of departments, he outlined his priorities going forward and called for the full commitment and team effort in moving ahead.
The Agriculture Minister stressed that the sector must maximise its current trajectory and pointed out that this involves:
* maximising access to enough food to allow for expanded exports and
* addressing improvement in product quality.
“Agriculture is important in many developing countries…our task in Guyana is not only to feed our people, but feed others as we build on this foundation of economic growth,” Ramsammy said.
He said the dynamics are clear on the local food production market and Guyana is well poised to expand its base as a net exporter of food.
Ramsammy said farmers are increasingly confident about investors wanting to expand production, and government remains committed to supporting the sector through both policy and investment drives.
The Grow More Food campaign has underscored the importance of developing a modern and competitive food production system in Guyana and, since its launch, has contributed significantly to this, he noted, boasting that Guyana has come a far way in reducing hunger and poverty across the country.

ADEQUATE FOOD
More Guyanese now have access to healthy and sufficient food and, last year, Guyana was one of three countries in this hemisphere to have achieved one of the Millennium Development Goals of ensuring adequate food for its people.
However, Ramsammy maintained that food security is about more than just growing more food.
“Food security must be not only enough food, but enough quality food,” he said.
The minister stated that the other priority areas are:
* making agriculture a Guyana thing, not just a coastal thing and expanding on the advances made with hinterland agriculture;
* placing additional emphasis on drainage and irrigation, which is critical to attaining the objectives of the sector;
* ensuring a smooth implementation of the Hope Canal project;
* pursuing scientific knowledge, as well as creating such knowledge and
* improving the laboratory capacity of the agriculture sector.
He acknowledged that a major disappointment is the lapse in the development of the laboratory capacity. Although there has been some work done in this regard, much more is needed to be done.
“Research is the key and this needs to be elevated if the sector is to do more…Guyana has the opportunity to develop better crops and different crops.”
According to him, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) are key players in this area.
“These agencies are critical,” he admitted.
Ramsammy said, in addition to research, extension services and training needs to be revamped across the country.
He said industrialisation is a point of focus, particularly in light of the fact that, with the advance of the agriculture sector, many other industries are established.
Ramsammy pledged that support will continue to be given to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which would play a critical role in the sector.

GOOD NEWS
“I am hoping that 2012 will be a year in which we have more good news, rather than news that is less than satisfactory,” he said.
Turning his attention to fisheries, Ramsammy said aquaculture must be expanded to maximise on Guyana’s potential and resources.
The development of the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station (SSAS) and expansion of aquaculture sector in 2007, followed by the Credit Facility established through the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and the creation of a certificate programme in fisheries at the Guyana School of Agriculture are only some of the initiatives undertaken in the aquaculture sector.
The sector employs close to 1,300 people and, with continued emphasis on the development of aquaculture, it is expected to contribute significantly more to the advancement of Guyana.
By 2015, it is expected that aquaculture would be a major contributor to the economy and continued support for aquaculture will be facilitated through the Agriculture Diversification Programme (ADP).
Relative to rice, Ramsammy said this industry has special significance to the sector and continued emphasis in this area will guarantee success.
The minister said, while there is work ongoing, it needs to be advanced at an accelerated pace.
Ramsammy, yesterday, also visited NAREI, the GLDA and the GSA, as well as the Black Bush Water Users Association at Corentyne, Berbice.
“We will be on the ground working,” the minister said.
Minister within the Ministry, Mr. Ali Baksh was also present at the briefing and called for collective participation in decision-making to ensure success.