GUYANA has committed to reducing CARICOM’s food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. Many would call this an arduous task, but this country has vast fertile lands and once held the title, ‘food basket of the Caribbean.’

As it stands, fresh fruits and vegetables (also referred to as “greens”) are readily available in markets and shops. There are instances where the prices are higher than normal, but many uncontrollable factors, including unpredictable weather fuel this.

The Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies have been supporting farmers to help boost their crop production in the wake of those uncontrollable factors, so that the abovementioned target can be met. Land, farming equipment and tools, seeds, and fertilisers are some of the items farmers have received at no cost to help boost their production.

In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on utilising modern technology. The focus is predominantly on hydroponics and shade houses, which are both climate-smart agriculture techniques.

Hydroponics has been around for some time, but its use is now receiving a stronger push, given that the pros outweigh the cons.

With this type of technology, plants are grown without soil. The roots of the plants are submerged in a water-based nutrient solution, and oftentimes it is paired with aquaculture, where fish waste is converted into plant nutrients by bacteria. Last year, the University of Guyana, at an exhibition held at the National Library, had this 2-in-1 system on display.

Among the significant benefits of using a hydroponic system are rapid growth, more robust yields, and superior quality crops. Additionally, such a system gives the grower more control, uses fewer chemicals and allows for less water utilisation, continuous production, and most importantly, facilitates the growth of food in any space. Hydroponic systems can be set up in homes, gardens, greenhouses and desert-like places such as Egypt and the Middle East.

In Guyana, hydroponic technology is being used to grow high-value crops such as cauliflower, pak choy, and lettuce. This successful venture is by no means limited to the three mentioned crops. Spinach, kale, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, can also flourish under these conditions.

In March, the Ministry of Agriculture disclosed that the cultivation of fresh herbs, leafy vegetables, and lettuce will be part of a US$15.7 million hydroponics project being executed at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara by Israeli company, Karligo Inc.

The use of shade houses has also attracted success. Aside from farmers, the government is working to use this method of crop production to attract youth and schoolchildren.
Within the last two years, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), in collaboration with the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), has constructed 24 shade houses in schools across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven. The involvement of youth is seem as a key element in achieving the 2025 target.

Technical assistance, seeds, seedlings, and tools are made available to ensure the success of the shade houses which help to control the crops’ exposure to harsh or unfavourable climatic conditions.

The Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme which the President conceptualised, Dr Irfaan Ali was one of the first initiatives launched by the government to promote youth involvement in agriculture and has attracted over 100 persons.

The participants have earned over $10 million from selling high-value crops such as broccoli and cauliflower.

Everyone should consider themselves a farmer as crops can be grown in very small spaces as was outlined above. With government pumping millions of dollars into using climate-smart technology to grow high-quality crops, there is no doubt that the local and regional consumption levels will increase.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a major contributor to a healthy life. By making the necessary resources available and advancing the use of modern technology, the Government of Guyana is showing the Region and the rest of the world that its heart is in the right place, that it is not only serious about food security, but also the future of its population.