IN Guyana’s agricultural sector, where dedication often goes unnoticed, Rondel Cameron has quietly built a career that is both inspiring and impactful. For the past decade, Cameron has served as the Livestock Extension Officer at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and Head of its National Swine Unit, guiding farmers, shaping policies, and helping to modernise livestock production across the country.

Cameron’s journey began in Bartica, Region Seven, where he spent his early childhood. At a tender age, he left his hometown to pursue better educational opportunities in Region Three, attending Malgre Tout Primary School on the West Bank Demerara. At the time, he could not understand why he had to leave Bartica, but the move proved pivotal. After excelling at the Common Entrance Examination, he attended West Demerara Secondary School before family circumstances brought him back to Bartica, where he completed his secondary education.

As the youngest of his siblings, Cameron looked up to his older brother, who earned a scholarship to study medicine in Cuba. That achievement sparked his own ambition. Fresh out of secondary school, Cameron applied himself diligently and was awarded a government scholarship to Cuba, where he studied for six years. In 2015, he graduated from the University of Ciego de Ávila with a degree in agronomy engineering.

While in Cuba, Cameron wrestled with the choice between crops and livestock. Ultimately, his passion for livestock won out. He wanted to contribute to Guyana’s agricultural sector in a way that directly improved the lives of grassroots farmers, helping them adopt better technologies and management practices. That decision has defined his career.

Returning home at age 24, Cameron joined GLDA in September 2015. Almost immediately, he was entrusted with managing the National Swine Sub-Unit, a responsibility that demanded both technical expertise and leadership. Over the past ten years, he has grown into the role, spearheading initiatives under the National Swine Work Programme and building a reputation as one of the organisation’s top performers.

His achievements are many. He has facilitated capacity-building sessions with farmers across Guyana, helping them improve productivity and adopt modern practices. He has also trained extension staff in collaboration with agencies such as Partners of the Americas, ensuring knowledge is shared across regions. In 2016, he contributed to the introduction of the Topigs 40 breed in Guyana, a milestone in swine production.

More recently, in 2023, he helped develop a Biosecurity Manual for pig farms, a critical tool for safeguarding animal health and food safety. He has also been instrumental in designing model farms to serve as examples for farmers nationwide.

Cameron is known among colleagues and farmers as soft-spoken, well-mannered, and jovial — qualities that make him approachable and trusted. His calm demeanour and cheerful personality have helped him build strong relationships with farmers, extension staff, and peers, ensuring that his technical guidance is received with respect and confidence.

He is very excited to continue contributing towards the development of the swine industry in Guyana, especially as the government, led by President Dr Irfaan Ali, forges ahead with plans to build a swine abattoir. This facility will further strengthen the industry’s value chain, ensuring that farmers benefit from modern infrastructure while supporting the CARICOM 25 x 2025+5 Initiative, which aims to reduce the region’s food import bill and promote food security.

Cameron is also urging farmers to embrace GLDA’s artificial insemination as a way to improve animal genetics and reduce operational costs. He believes this technology can transform swine production by enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. He is highly pleased to be working with farmers in remote regions, including Regions Seven and Eight, who are embracing swine production as a sustainable economic livelihood while ensuring their own region’s food security.

Equally important, Cameron is computer-savvy and embraces the evolving technological sphere, recognising that modern agriculture must integrate digital tools to remain competitive. His ability to adapt to new technologies, from data management systems to digital communication platforms, has strengthened his work with farmers and improved the efficiency of the National Swine Unit. For him, technology is not a challenge but an opportunity to connect, innovate, and build resilience in the livestock sector.

Beyond his professional life, Cameron is fluent in both English and Spanish, proficient in Microsoft applications, and enjoys travelling to new destinations. He has developed strong communication skills, creative thinking, and team leadership qualities that serve him well in his work.

At home, he finds joy in gardening, planting, and harvesting crops whenever he gets the chance — a reminder that his love for agriculture extends beyond his office and into his personal life.

Cameron’s story is one of perseverance, vision, and service. From a boy in Bartica who left home for better schooling, to a scholarship student in Cuba, to a national leader in livestock development, his journey reflects the power of education, opportunity, and dedication. Today, he stands as a role model for young Guyanese, proving that with passion and commitment, one can not only build a career but also make a lasting difference in the lives of farmers and communities across the country