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AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has alluded to the fact that agriculture plays an integral role in Guyana’s economy and its favourable accomplishments are clearing the way for the country to again become the breadbasket of the Caribbean. He shunned the myth that farming is only for the uneducated, noting that in today’s society many lawyers and magistrates are also farmers. “Agriculture in Guyana continues to be productive, due to the enhanced technologies we have implemented….today, Guyana is the number three country which is known for successful water resource management practices,” he said.
The minister made these pronouncements on Thursday as part of Agriculture Month 2012 activities when the the Ministry of Agriculture hosted a seminar – “Promotion of Youth in Agriculture”, attracting hundreds of students from schools in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The event held annually, paves the way for students to be exposed to agricultural technologies, and areas n which they can tap into as career opportunities.
Underscoring the importance of agricultural technologies, Minister Ramsammy pointed to the many advanced agriculture training programmes implemented at the GSA. In 2013, an agro-processing technology programme will be implemented at the school.
The students were also enlightened about the newly produced aromatic rice, which was researched and developed at the Guyana Rice Development Board, Rice Research Station in Burma, Mahaicony.
“This new variety of rice, the aromatic rice is a realisation that we (Government) are committed to ensuring the highest level of research in Guyana…our researchers at the station must be congratulated for its initiation,” he said.
Enhanced technologies implemented have aided the transformation of the sector, and at present, cauliflower, broccoli, Irish potatoes and spices are being grown locally. Dr Ramsammy encouraged the students to live their dream, and to make full use of the opportunities that exist in the agriculture sector. “Agriculture is more than just a cutlass and a spade, it is about technologies which we have implemented, as we work to build a Guyana that is food secure,” he added.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jarvis spoke of agriculture being an important pillar to attaining food and nutrition security.
He added that if more youth do not get into agriculture, there will be a significant decline in the next ten years. “Our importation bill remains relatively high as Guyana continues to have an import bill of US$4B annually, and will only climb if there is no seriousness about agriculture,” he said. He reminded the youths that they have an integral role to play in the development of the sector. (GINA)
The minister made these pronouncements on Thursday as part of Agriculture Month 2012 activities when the the Ministry of Agriculture hosted a seminar – “Promotion of Youth in Agriculture”, attracting hundreds of students from schools in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The event held annually, paves the way for students to be exposed to agricultural technologies, and areas n which they can tap into as career opportunities.
Underscoring the importance of agricultural technologies, Minister Ramsammy pointed to the many advanced agriculture training programmes implemented at the GSA. In 2013, an agro-processing technology programme will be implemented at the school.
The students were also enlightened about the newly produced aromatic rice, which was researched and developed at the Guyana Rice Development Board, Rice Research Station in Burma, Mahaicony.
“This new variety of rice, the aromatic rice is a realisation that we (Government) are committed to ensuring the highest level of research in Guyana…our researchers at the station must be congratulated for its initiation,” he said.
Enhanced technologies implemented have aided the transformation of the sector, and at present, cauliflower, broccoli, Irish potatoes and spices are being grown locally. Dr Ramsammy encouraged the students to live their dream, and to make full use of the opportunities that exist in the agriculture sector. “Agriculture is more than just a cutlass and a spade, it is about technologies which we have implemented, as we work to build a Guyana that is food secure,” he added.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jarvis spoke of agriculture being an important pillar to attaining food and nutrition security.
He added that if more youth do not get into agriculture, there will be a significant decline in the next ten years. “Our importation bill remains relatively high as Guyana continues to have an import bill of US$4B annually, and will only climb if there is no seriousness about agriculture,” he said. He reminded the youths that they have an integral role to play in the development of the sector. (GINA)
