–surge in female participation notable

IN an effort to combat the negative stereotypes associated with agriculture and its economic benefits, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha highlights the changing landscape of the sector. He explains that it is now populated by young, driven, and dynamic individuals, debunking the notion that it is only for school dropouts or canecutters.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the agriculture minister mentioned that prior to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali assuming office in 2020, there was a prevailing negative perception among young people regarding agriculture, in that they viewed it as a profession that was frowned upon by society.

Minister Mustapha said, “I am pleased to say that President Ali and my ministry are working close towards changing that perception of young people, and we have started from the school level. Today, hundreds, if not thousands, of young people are earning their livelihoods through agriculture. The best part of this practice is that these young people who would have gone to the University of Guyana (UG), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), and have been qualified as agronomists, received a diploma, or a BSc in agriculture. They are using their skills that were acquired in the classroom to now put it into practice and enhance their lives.”

President Ali’s visionary approach to the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) is positively impacting numerous young individuals in the agriculture field. Furthermore, Minister Mustapha pointed out that the programme, which was initiated in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), will be replicated in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Highlighting the programme’s impact, the agriculture minister stated that in each of the selected regions, more than 300 young individuals would have participated and reaped the benefits.
In his commitment to the young people of Guyana, Minister Mustapha said, “What I have planned to do and achieve during my ten years as the minister of agriculture is to make young people, especially at the school level, more passionate and more conscious about food security. That is why we are partnering with the schools all across Guyana, making these shade houses, and investing in other agricultural programmes so that the young people can develop and have a liking for agriculture and know of its benefits.”

IMPORTANCE OF GENERATION NEXT
Regarding Guyana’s goal to become a regional leader in food security, Minister Mustapha emphasised that President Ali has expressed the importance of the next generation in the country’s pursuit of this objective. “President Ali has said on several occasions that he and his government are working towards making agriculture more modern, less labour-intensive, and more innovative. I am pleased to say that we are on that path, and have achieved that to a certain extent. And with these additional programmes that are put in place, we know that our young people will do their part in making Guyana food-secure in the near future,” he added.

Finally, Minister Mustapha commended the young females, and females across-the-board, for expressing an interest in the sector, and in some cases dominating it.
“I cannot say that I am surprised that our women, both young and the more mature, are dominating in the agriculture sector. When we look at the programmes that are offered, and the number of farmers that are participating, you can see that the females are outnumbering the males; and we welcome that as a government,” he said, adding: “On behalf of President Ali and I, we would like them to know that we are proud of them and all that they are doing.

“We have no doubt that our women are just as good as our men in the sector, if not better, and we want them to know that we see them and the work that they are doing.”
Sir Jerome Rampersaud, the acting headteacher of Abram Zuil Secondary School, informed the Guyana Chronicle that the construction of their shade houses involved the participation of the Head of Department (HoD), students, and parents. He stated that the students were enthusiastic and intrigued about shade houses and the concept of planting from the very beginning.

“The eagerness and the idea of planting and reaping what they contributed to are beautiful to see and hear when they speak. I must say that many have expressed their desires to plant at home, in their own kitchen garden, or on a small plot. This initiative is a game-changer in the school system and in our country as a whole,” Sir Jerome said, adding:
“Many times, we see our young people on their phones or gadgets all the time. And with these shade houses, they are exploring, learning, and planning for their future, because they know of the benefits now. We must say thank you to President Ali and Minister Mustapha for this initiative.”

VIRTUES OF SHADE HOUSE INITIATIVE
In addition, a teacher from Berbice High School (BHS) in the East Berbice Corentyne region of Guyana, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared with the Guyana Chronicle that they are cultivating vegetables in shade houses within their school compound. He believes that the Shade House initiative, which is focused on climate-resilient agriculture, aims to empower educators and students. It provides support to them and encourages collaboration in their school-based assessments.

Furthermore, he pointed out that shade houses offer optimal weather conditions for cultivating diverse crops that would not survive in extreme weather.

“Our students and teachers contribute to the local food supply, and learn about sustainable agriculture methods by working on this project. We are very happy with our shade houses and the interest that is being shown by our students in being involved in them. We know for sure that some of them will continue this long after they leave school; they have already expressed that to us,” the teacher explained.