OVER 35 representatives from agriculture agencies, technical institutes, ministries and private entrepreneurs gathered at the Cara Lodge in Georgetown over the last four days to brainstorm the creation of bio-energy-driven projects. This seminar was facilitated by Drs. Klein Ileleji and Jiqin Ni, professors from the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, with coordination from Dr. C. Clementson of the Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking with this publication on conclusion of the four-day seminar, Dr. Ileleji said there have been a lot of success stories coming out of this seminar, and he sees potential for a number of successful projects to benefit the country, if prepared.
He noted that the number of model projects in Guyana is a testimony to the new trend of renewable energy the world is seeing; and with Guyana’s vast amount of bio resources and agro waste materials, great things can be done locally.
Dr. Ni, who indicated before coming to Guyana that he came up empty-handed in searching the Internet to see what he could find regarding bio-energy here, highlighted that upon arriving for the seminar, and during the field trip, he was surprised to see the amount of working models of various bio-energy systems present in Guyana.
The seminar saw Linear Wood Products, of Brickery, East Bank Demerara tabling its intention to convert its large volume of wood waste into bio-energy. The entity is seeking technical assistance to move that project forward.
The field trip saw participants visiting the Alliance Farm at Timehri, East Bank Demerara; Linear Wood Products at Brickery, EBD; DDL’s Bio-methanisation Plant at Diamond, EBD; and the St. Stanislaus Farm at Sophia, East Coast Demerara, where examples of bio-energy production from various waste materials were displayed and discussed.
Participants were drawn from the technical institutions of the Ministry of Education in Essequibo, the Government Technical Institute in Georgetown, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, the Port Mourant Training Centre of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, the Guyana School of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute, University of Guyana, Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Guyana Water Inc, Demerara Distillers Limited, and Banks DIH Ltd. among other entities, private sector businesses, and government ministries.
They were urged to continue doing research, with assistance from the facilitators of the Purdue University and the Ministry of Agriculture, to develop other projects and enhance existing ones.
One participant suggested creation of a consortium called the Guyana Bio-energy Working Group, to enable stakeholders to meet from time to time during the year to discuss and promote development of the industry. The idea was considered a great one, and that effort would be led by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The seminar concluded on Friday, August 18, with a presentation on extension outreach in the USA, and opportunities to build extension outreach in Guyana; and a brainstorm session facilitated by Dr. O. Homenauth, Director of the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), including a word from the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. George Jarvis.