-President Ali
FARMERS in Guyana, and by extension the Caribbean community (CARICOM), will soon be able to access agriculture extension services and training online, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.
The Guyanese Head of State, during a recent engagement in a farming community, told residents that, by the end of the year, the country’s agriculture ministry will launch these services online.
“Farmers can sign in at any time and get information and get training online,” President Ali said while explaining that the initiative is a part of a wider programme in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
“We are now investing in an innovation centre through the IICA programme that looks to continuous education of farmers and that will support farmers,” the President said adding:
“We have to make things accessible. We have to make things easier for the people of our country; wherever they are, however they look, whichever community they are from, that is irrelevant. We are building a ‘One Guyana’ for every single Guyanese.”
Additionally, Guyana is set to complete the development of a Regional Data Centre Analytic Simulator for agriculture and food production in the region.
That centre will combine modern technology, data and experts to efficiently support farmers and increase food production.
At the third regional Agriculture Investment Forum and Expo held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Dr. Ali had said for the Caribbean region to attain its regional food-security goals, innovation and digitisation need to be adopted aggressively.
Leaders are hoping to reduce the region’s massive US$6 billion plus food-import bill by 2025. It is their hope that with proactive initiatives such as these, food production and regional trade can be increased.
Since assuming office, the current government has been keen on using oil revenues to diversify the economy and not just have a country that revolves around oil and gas.
Aside from the data centre, Guyana will also establish a situation room to ensure that strategic investments are made.
With the sector’s growth in mind, the President highlighted the importance of undertaking meticulous data analysis to ensure targeted investments are made to adequately develop the country.
This, he reiterated, will enable evidence-based decision-making and proactive planning to drive production forward.
