THE Ministry of Agriculture and the Embassy of China in Guyana on Friday signed an agreement which paves the way for advancement of the fisheries sector.
As part of the agreement, the Chinese Government will be assisting Guyana in the areas of training of its technical officers and the completion of a feasibility study which will serve as a guide to advance aquaculture production.
The team, who will be visiting the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos and fish farmers in Regions Two, Three, Five and Six, will also be working with technical officers in the Fisheries Department by conducting practicals to boost fingerling production.
During the meeting, a Partnership Agreement was also signed by Permanent Secretary (ag), Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Joylyn Nester-Borrowes and Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Officer, Chinese Embassy, Mr. Shen Huiyong. The Agreement among other things will facilitate a training exercise for technical officers and fish operators in September 2017. Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, in welcoming the delegation underscored the importance of aquaculture to Guyana’s GDP, adding that government remains committed to facilitating development of the local aquaculture sector.
According to the minister, this initiative is the latest in a string of similar initiatives by donor countries, multilateral financing institutions and the Government of Guyana to not only diversify agriculture, but to boost exports also.

The fisheries department this year will be working directly with farmers to pioneer new technologies and increase productivity through the improvement of fingerlings and building ties with new markets and buyers for the sector.

In 2016, the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station produced 114,705 fingerlings as opposed to 77,694 produced in 2015. Already for this year (first quarter), the production of 15000 fingerlings has already been recorded as the department continues to make strides by assisting farmers to not only access larger quantities, but diversify their incomes, increase earnings and create new jobs.
“The fisheries sector continues to play an important and direct role in national food security…Guyana is committed to the sustainable management of the sector and is committed to working with its partners to ensure that the sustainable fishing practices are carried out,” the minister said.
In the Caribbean, the fisheries and aquaculture sector is a major economic contributor to domestic markets. It is also a significant employer with about 116,000 people directly and over 225,000 indirectly employed.

The collaboration between the Chinese and Guyana governments was lauded by the Permanent Secretary (ag), who pointed to the fact that much has been achieved and continues to be done to advance the industry.
The Fisheries Department, according to Mrs Nestor-Borrowes, this year will also be expanding its operations in the hinterland as focus is placed on the development of inland fisheries and aquaculture in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10.
“Among the key highlights, the programme will see the implementation of the Arapaima Management Plan and the active involvement of stakeholders in the Aquaculture and sports fishing,” the Permanent Secretary (ag) said. The minister was also accompanied by Chief Fisheries Officer (ag), Ms Ingrid Peters.
The Chinese delegation also comprised: – Mr. Xu Yi (Jason) who serves as Director, Ms. Wang Xiaoqin (Monica), Ms. Zhang Liyan (Olivia) and Ms. Wang Ying (Stella) who will all serve as programme coordinators.