PLANS for the establishment of a soil laboratory with internationally accepted standards and state-of-the-art equipment are being finalized for completion within twelve months, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy disclosed yesterday.

The establishment of the laboratory will make soil testing more accessible and more affordable and will enable a farmer to make better decisions in relation to the use of fertilizer – Dr Ramsammy.

He said that there is a soil laboratory at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) but very often farmers are forced to send their soil samples overseas for testing.
The Ministry of Agriculture is holding ongoing discussions with its agencies – GuySuCo, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Fisheries Department, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Pesticides Board to decide on the design and workings of this laboratory.
He said, “I would hope that by this time next year no farmer will need to send samples abroad.”
The establishment of the laboratory will make soil testing more accessible and more affordable and will enable a farmer to make better decisions in relation to the use of fertilizer.
Dr Ramsammy observed that soil analysis is a valuable tool for farmers as it determines the inputs required for efficient and economic production.
He said that soil tests help to ensure application of enough fertilizer to meet the requirements of the respective crop, while taking advantage of the nutrients already present in the soil.
“It will either lead to reduced dependency on fertilizers or more effective use of fertilizers, all of which could lead to a cost savings for the benefit of the producer,” the minister said.

(By Clifford Stanley)