RECORD performances in the livestock and crop industries – excluding rice and sugar – managed to provide a favourable rating with regard to the performance of Guyana’s agricultural sector in 2016. This was the view of Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, who at an end-of-year press conference on Thursday, contended that there is always room for improvement in the sector.
“There is always room for improvement, but I believe we have done well. In the areas of livestock and pesticide, we have done fairly well and I am quite pleased with the work of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). So by and large, in my opinion, the sector has not done too badly at all,” he said.
According to the minister, NAREI’s continued efforts in the crop sector (excluding sugar and rice) resulted in a 2.5 per cent growth in that sector by mid-2016.
In this sector, coconuts, which rank after rice and sugar in terms of exports, were given much prominence in 2016. The minister revealed that a coconut roadmap was finalised in 2016 to further catapult this important commodity.
Cassava was also one of the crops which recorded success, and according to the minister, emphasis will be placed on mechanised cassava-planting and harvesting in the savannahs, as well as on the coastland.
“Emphasis will be placed on the production of cassava flour, for which markets exist. Support for these enterprises will be forthcoming from the Government of Colombia. In this regard, a modern cassava flour mill would become operationalised under this project,” he added.
In relation to the livestock sub-sector, poultry production is projected to increase by five per cent in 2016.
Minister Holder also indicated that positive growth will continue in 2017 due to improved husbandry practices, better quality feed and an increase in capacity of a major player in this industry.
He continued that in the local beef programme, the bull rotation scheme has produced 3,000 animals thus far. And as a result of the introduction of animals of improved genetic material, through breeding bulls, semen and embryo transplants, the ministry is projecting a 10 per cent increase in 2017 over 2016 in this sub-sector.
Still in this sub-sector, the minister noted that the Duck Hatchery Programme continues to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the local duck industry.
According to him, duckling production at the end of 2016 is projected at 266,000, and this represents a 25 per cent increase compared to 2015.
“This is expected to remain strong and positive in 2017 with a 50 per cent growth. To maintain the advantage associated with improved genetic stock, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will be importing 4,000 parent flock hatching eggs from France in 2017,” Minister Holder disclosed.
In relation to the fisheries industry, it was pointed out that in 2016, that sub-sector recorded an 11 per cent increase in growth.
The minister explained that growth in aquaculture will become necessary as a substitute for seafood, as the ministry has realised that the marine resources are being challenged.
As such, he noted that there was more detailed planning, especially as it relates to aquaculture and small-scale fisheries, and over 20 new aquaculture farms are expected to come on stream.
Additionally, he noted that for the first time, Guyana is facilitating deep-sea fishing.
SUGAR
Meanwhile, on the not-so-bright side, survival of the ailing sugar industry continues to depend largely on Government subventions.
Minister Holder explained that 2016 was plagued by poor labour turnout, lack of spares, equipment shortages in particular cane punts, and factory breakdowns in this industry.
He said that the shortage of skills and experience, together with the serious underinvestment in the industry, is taking its toll.
And while the 2016 second crop started late as a result of the wet conditions which succeeded the drought and cane yields are higher than forecasted, he said that the corporation would be unable to harvest all its canes before the end of the year.
As such, it is estimated that some 153,300 tonnes of cane would be carried over into 2017. This is equivalent to some 11,300 tonnes sugar.
Nevertheless, sugar production for this year is expected to be just over 183,000 tonnes.
He also touched on the fact that workers from the Wales Estate who could be absorbed at Uitvlugt will be offered jobs at that location. Some will also be employed in the diversification programmes planned for Wales.
RICE
According to Minister Holder, rice production in 2016 declined by 12.7 per cent to 600,000 metric tonnes, largely due to the El Nino weather conditions and the fact that some farmers exited the industry during this year.
The minister explained that due to El Nino, only 84 per cent or 76,717 hectares were sown out of the targeted production for the first crop of 91,072 hectares. Of the 76,717 hectares sown, 3,311 hectares were lost. And for 2017, he noted that rice is expected to decline further by 1.6 per cent.
However, the minister was keen to point out that Guyana has managed to secure markets in 35 countries, and this has led to an increase in exports by one per cent over 2015 at the end of October 2016.
Due to the reduction in world market prices, he said that the value of exports will decline.
Prices per tonne at the end of October were US$370 per tonne compared with US$394 in 2015. And for 2017, the ministry projects that exports will be around 531,000 tonnes (valued US$ 180,984,100.)
To support this industry, Minister Holder stated that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will be working in 2017 to address the issue of production, by offering farmers the necessary incentives to ensure they return to the land.
And having described the overall performance of the agricultural sector as “fairly good,” the minister said that agriculture remains a priority area for addressing problems of unemployment, poverty alleviation and for fostering economic development.
He added that the country is focusing primarily on sustainable food security, increasing productivity, expanding commercial agriculture, import substitution, income diversification and export orientation.
As such, he noted that in 2017, the ministry will continue production transformation through agricultural diversification; improvements in drainage and irrigation systems; improvements in research, extension, education and marketing; and strengthening regulatory frameworks governing fisheries, chemical and groundwater management.
Additionally, hinterland development with large-scale agriculture in both the Rupununi and Intermediate Savannahs will also be advanced.
“We will be pursuing interventions that will ensure food security for all, specifically, access to safe food throughout the country, with a view to maintaining a healthy and productive population,” the minister said.