GUYANA and Brazil have committed to working closely with each other to realise this country’s agriculture potential, especially as it relates to Guyana’s Intermediate Savannahs in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, while holding talks with the former Governor and current Special Adviser to the Governor of Roraima, Mr. Neudo Campos expressed the government’s support for any efforts aimed at fostering closer cooperation in areas of mutual interest. That meeting took place in Boa Vista, Brazil last Saturday.
According to Minister Holder, there continues to be tremendous potential for agriculture development in the hinterland, which thus far has largely remained untapped.
As such, several issues relative to cross-border trade, the road from Lethem to Linden, a deep-water harbour, and closer cooperation in the sharing of skills and expertise were also discussed.
Mr Campos has promised action that would allow Guyana’s agriculture produce into Brazil.  Agriculture produce from Guyana are currently barred from entry, due to fears that the Carambola Fruit Fly may be present in Guyana. Through the assistance of IICA (the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture), Guyana has been able to develop a robust and reliable information- sharing system that allows for easy reporting on the Carombola Fruit Fly. In its 2011 report, IICA noted that technical officers from Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture undertook eight field trips along the route between the Guyana-Brazil borders.

FURTHER TALKS
During his meeting with Minister Holder, Mr. Campos extended an invitation for a technical team from Guyana to meet with their counterparts in Brazil within two weeks to iron out issues of cross-border trade.
“Trade with Guyana,” he said, “remains an important part of our government’s agenda, and we will work to ensure that all avenues are sorted out, and our relationship progresses even further. Guyana has always had friendly relations with Brazil, and we hope to further expand this in the near future.”
Minister Holder also raised with Mr Campos the problem of Brazilian cattle farmers illegally crossing the border with their animals during the dry season in Brazil to graze them on the lush pastures on the Guyana side of the border.
In response, Mr Campos has promised to look into the matter, noting that it would be easy for the Brazilian authorities to find out who the offending farmers are, and take steps to ensure that the practice is discontinued.
Guyana having been certified free of Foot-and-Mouth disease, is free to export beef to regional and international markets. However, Brazil has not yet been so certified, even though, according to the government, it has been 12 years since the last case was identified.
The illegal crossing of cows from Brazil to Guyana could jeopardise Guyana’s international certification and scuttle its fledgling cattle industry.

CLOSER TIES
The meeting between Guyana’s Agriculture Minister and the Brazilian State official also allowed for Brazil to again express its keen interest in working with the Government of Guyana towards the construction of the road from Lethem to Linden, a deep-water harbour, and the establishment of a Hydro electricity generating facility for the supply of power to both countries.
The meeting between the two governments was facilitated by NF Agriculture Inc., a Brazilian company that is currently engaged in a pilot project for the cultivation of soya beans and corn at Ebini, in the Berbice River.
Minister Holder and his accompanying team, comprising of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. George Jervis; Chief Executive Officer of the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr. Oudho Homenauth; and Agriculture Diversification Specialist in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Jean David, were also taken on tour of major soya bean cultivations.
During the visit, the Managing Director of NF Agriculture, Mr. Yucatan Reis, accompanied by Mr. Geison Nicaretta, Mr. Alcione Nicoletti and Mr. Afranio Webber exposed the Guyanese team to technologies that are used on farms, both in relation to the layout of the cultivation as well as the equipment.
The project by NF Agriculture Inc. involves the cultivation of soya bean and corn and is expected to significantly aid the Caribbean in reducing its imports of those commodities and allow for trade and expanded markets within the Region.

RUPUNUNI TOUR
Minister Holder was also taken to visit several farms in the Rupununi, including Santa Fe, J.R, Waikin and Peter Alves ranch.
While at Santa Fe, he got a first-hand look at technologies being used on the farm. The management of Santa Fe is adamant that the investment continues to be a favourable one and remains committed to ensuring additional growth in the Hinterland Regions.
Since commencing operations, the Santa Fe farm has had successful harvests of paddy and cash crops. The farm has also branched off to rearing  pigs, cows and sheep, as the investors pursue a modern cattle industry.
The project first started with the cultivation of 120 acres of paddy. However, the Simpson Family, who also owns Sol Group, have since significantly expanded their operations.
The Santa Fe project is not only equipped with a certified mill to process the paddy, but also with the necessary infrastructure such as drainage and irrigation canals, and a pump system.
The project is being managed and supervised by Guyanese Richard Vasconcellos. Of the 60 employees, 57 are Guyanese from Region Nine. (GINA)