THE commissioning Friday of a Genetic Laboratory at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Farm at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara is expected to greatly boost the local livestock industry. Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy delivered the feature remarks at that commissioning ceremony. He said that opening of the lab is in keeping with the theme for this year’s Agriculture Month: ‘Better technology, better farming: Ensuring food security’.

“This fits in very aptly, appropriately (and) absolutely with the theme, because…what you see within the GLDA premises is not just some other farm, just more animals…but in fact science at work, and technology being made useful to serve not just the professionals at GLDA, but to serve the economic aspirations of our farmers and our people,” the minister said.

He noted that not many developing countries can boast of a genetic capacity, and most countries that can actually so boast can do so only because there have been influx and dominance of people from developed countries.

He said the lab has had the support of professionals from developed countries, and continues to welcome that support.

The minister, however, highlighted that Guyanese should be proud because the genetic capacity in the country is being developed largely by the knowledge and wisdom of fellow Guyanese.

Dr. Ramsammy said the opening of the lab is only the beginning, and there is still a long way to go.
“But certainly, we are demonstrating that the will is there to ensure that we match the various elements of a successful genetic and breed improvement programme, that the human resources are being developed…,” he said.
He pointed out that whilst more work can be done in terms of human resources, he still believes that government has a cadre of young and experienced veterinarians and scientists who could help to catapult the industry to where it should be.

Moreover, the minister noted that the infrastructure and technology that could serve as a catalyst is also there; and while these can still be enhanced, it is currently sufficient to take the industry to another level.
The building which houses the lab, 18 metres X 9.5 metres, was built at a cost of approximately Gy$28.2 million. The road that was also constructed from the GLDA office to the lab costs approximately G$74 million.

Dr. Ramsammy added that another critical element of this lab facility would be the equipment, which requires technology that initially costs another Gy$8 million.
“To make this facility possible, with the infrastructure and technology, it’s approximately $177 million expended. That demonstrates our commitment as a government, our commitment as the GLDA, our commitment as the Ministry of Agriculture to not only talk about a breed improvement programme, not only talk about the establishment of an international quality genetics programme, but to demonstrate the will to make it happen,” he stressed.

He related that another part of the investment is acquiring different breeds of animals to be used to test and improve breeds.
According to the minister, 33 bulls have already been imported, and the GLDA is now in the process of importing 60 pure bred female animals.

The modern facility will serve to improve the quality of animals, hence producing better dairy products. Activities there include testing, preserving and storing of semen from the animals to be used at later dates to create better breeds.