–as gov’t launches Agriculture Information System

AS part of continued efforts to enhance decision-making and data collection, the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday unveiled its Agriculture Information System (AIS).
During a brief launch ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, on Monday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha highlighted that the AIS will mark a shift in the ministry’s aim to improve the sector through technology.
He related that the government has been pursuing strategic investments that embrace technology in the agriculture sector.

“There are a lot of things that we have to do… All of us who are in this sector; the driver, the facilitator who are moving this sector forward, we must also embrace changes,” Mustapha said.
The AIS features a farm register module which creates a full database of farmers, including biodata and contact information. It also includes georeferencing, a farm profile, and a survey module for producing and processing farm surveys. The core, extension, and survey modules are additional components.
“We have to change the way how we operate; change the way how we deal with the farmers, ensure that we are in line to satisfy the needs of the farmers, because sometimes our extension officers, too, when they go and visit the farmers, they want the farmers to accept what they see,” the minister said, adding:

“This system that will be put in place will guide you to help the farmers to be more efficient, to help the farmers to ensure that they cultivate crops that will be beneficial to themselves, that will improve their livelihood and at the same time bring benefit to the country.”
The AIS will transform the way the ministry gathers, organises, and uses agricultural data, Minister Mustapha said, further pointing out that the system will also help extension officers work more effectively by addressing data gathering issues.

“We can know who’s in the livestock industry, who are in cash crop, and fruits and vegetable or who are in the rice sector, the fishing sector. So, what this will do, this will help us first of all to know those persons who are in the various sectors, and it will help us to plan,” the Agriculture Minister said.
The AIS will also supplement collaborative hubs located in eight of the country’s 10 administrative regions. At these hubs, extension officers would be fully equipped with modern office facilities, Internet, computer and tablets to facilitate real-time monitoring.
The AIS’ introduction is intended to increase productivity, promote efficiency, and simplify internal ministry procedures.

According to Mustapha, training to acquaint extension officers with the AIS has as already begun.
He further highlighted Guyana’s role in food production, and the need for adaptation to digitisation. The launch was praised for boosting productivity and efficiency, with thanks to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other stakeholders.

IDB’s General Manager for the Caribbean, Anton Edmunds noted that the AIS aims to modernise Guyana’s agriculture sector, enhance food security, and improve data collection and analysis for better decision-making.
According to Edmunds, it aligns with the IDB’s group strategy from 2023 to 2026 and the “One Caribbean” initiative, focusing on economic diversification and increased agricultural productivity.

He said: “The lack of data, is one of the biggest issues that we face in the region, and the ability for us to have data and for us to collect it in real time is really and truly crucial for the future of the industry. With improved capacity for analysis and quality of data available, this will enhance the ability to make informed decisions that can drive growth and sustainability in the sector.”