By: Dr. Oudho Homenauth

THE National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has been doing its part in the promotion and enhancement of a socially cohesive Guyana, through the implementation of projects and outreaches that require bringing people together, starting conversations and contributing to economic development.

To ensure these projects are successful, the institute has been engaging in training and demonstration activities. NAREI is actively involved in the provision of training to farmers and students throughout Guyana, with a consistent focus on hinterland communities. Extension staff work with farmers and students to ensure that they are equipped with knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). In addition, practical skills are enhanced through demonstration projects and farmers field schools. These aid farmers to achieve their full productive capacities and thus improve their economic status.

NAREI provides support for community-level economic activities focused on self-employed women and men. In fact, over 35 Community Development Projects (CDPs), which relate directly to crop production, are underway in Regions One, Two, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10. Importantly, nine communities in Region Nine are currently benefitting. These CDPs help to ensure that those more vulnerable are able to have a sustained source of income while promoting integration and cooperation. Advice is regularly provided for these groups by extension workers, so as to ensure that they are sustained and beneficial to all farmers.
NAREI also promotes economic development through value-added production.

The institute has established processing facilities in many areas in the hinterland, these include; the spice factory in Hosororo, Region One, and cassava processing in Regions One, Seven and Nine. NAREI also works in collaboration with other governmental agencies to promote agro-processing ventures e.g. the recent commissioned Sun Dried Tomatoes Facility at Paramakatoi, in Region Eight.

Community-based Farmer’s Groups and CDPs which are developed by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affair (MOIPA) and NAREI, are great tools for social cohesion and economic development as they foster partnerships and promote small business development in these vulnerable communities. One such example is the Quarry Farmer’s Group which is currently receiving assistance from NAREI in the cultivation of cassava which will be used to supply the cassava processing facilities at Wowetta, and Moco-Moco.

NAREI, like the Government, is very sensitive to the need to manage and maintain Guyana’s natural environment. In this regard, the institute is engaged in many projects, particularly in the hinterland communities, that are geared towards the promotion of climate-smart agriculture and organic farming. Often, the inputs for and advice on the construction and maintenance of shade houses, raised-bed cultivation and biological control of pest and diseases are facilitated by NAREI; these are geared towards ensuring that the environment and livelihoods are preserved.

These initiatives safeguard the natural ecology of the environment while ensuring that Food and Nutrition Security needs are satisfied.
In summary, the initiatives undertaken by NAREI, in collaboration with other agencies, help to promote social cohesion and economic development within hinterland communities, by helping to solve the issues of food quality accessibility and affordability which often plague these vulnerable residents; by reducing the ecological footprint; by ensuring the existence of viable economic opportunities and community resilience to economic crises; and finally, through the development of value-added production and related services.