THE recent re-launch of the Guyana Agricultural Producers’ Association (GAPA) will definitely bring significant strides to the development of non-traditional agriculture in Guyana. I was fortunate to be at this function and witness the presentations by the various officials, including the Minister of Agriculture and Mr. Donald Ramoutar. All the speakers emphasised the importance of non-traditional agriculture and the need for a body such as GAPA to represent the farmers of this country.

For too long the small farmers of this country were not being properly represented hence I am quite sure with the formation of this body, all the small farmers and those in non-traditional agriculture will have a voice. I am also quite certain that there will be much more growth and development in this area of agriculture. According to what I heard at the conference, this body will also assist farmers in setting up farms and providing information that is need for modern farm development.

I was also very happy to see the Guyana Marketing Corporation there since they are very important in this drive. Without a proper marketing system, production would be totally dependent on our local consumption; hence, providing services such as connecting farmers directly to buyers in the Caribbean and other parts of the world is totally worth the while.

It was also very impressive to see farmers from as far as Region 2; Region 6 and Region 10 present at this conference, which indicates that GAPA has initiated a very good network with farmers from the various regions. This is very necessary and I would urge the very young coordinator to continue along this line to always involve farmers from the various regions to be part of the activities of GAPA.

Once again, I wish to commend the organisers of this event and I wish the GAPA all success in the future and hope that it does not fall through like it did before.
P. TAYLOR