Head of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth, (first from left) along with other Agriculture Ministry officials including Minister Robert Persaud and Dr Chandra Madramootoo pose with his recent book on water management
McGill University of Canada on Tuesday formalised a CDN$5 million (Gy$1,025,845,920) partnership agreement with the Agriculture Ministry to start a research project aimed at helping Guyana improve its production, health and nutritional value of crops over the next three and a half years.
The project, titled “Improving Nutrition and Health of Caricom Population”, was awarded to Guyana based on a proposal submitted by the McGill University in 2009, following a call by the Canadian government for academic institutions to step up in assisting other countries to become food secure.
The Canadian government took the initiative after it made a commitment at a G-8 Summit in 2008. The project by the government began in 2009 but only now has moved beyond Canada.
Guyana was selected after a competitive bidding process which saw 267 submissions.
Dr Chandra A Madramootoo, a Guyanese and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of McGill University noted that the project is being funded under the International Research Centre of Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency.
He noted that food security is a pressing issue in the world right now and it is important for countries to collaborate to ensure global food security. The university will also be collaborating with the University of the West Indies on a similar project with similar expected outcome.
The programme in Guyana is aimed at addressing the problem of food and nutritional insecurities, reducing the dependency on food imports, assisting countries with food producing capabilities, and show leadership with the other Caricom countries. It will also specifically address aspects of irrigation which is important for agriculture, water management, climate change and its effect on production, food safety, post-harvest technology, fertilising practices, and nutritional standards.
Dr Madramootoo noted that he is looking forward to working with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud extended gratitude on behalf of the Guyana government for the investment in the agriculture sector. He added that the project and its acceptance show confidence exhibited by the government of Canada.
The minister said the project will assist in impacting through its research dimension, the shortcomings in production practised commonly by farmers. The areas chosen for the research are along the East Coast from Victoria to the Golden Grove/Buxton backlands and the Parika backdam. He posited that the areas chosen for the research will not only boost the country’s agriculture productivity but also improve the economic livelihoods of farmers.
He noted that overall the project will complement what the ministry is already doing to produce a vibrant sector.
“We face challenges and are hoping to convert these challenges to opportunities to improve and make the sector resilient,” Persaud said.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2010 said Guyana was the net exporter of food in the Caribbean Region, having been able to also cut the cost of food and eradicate hunger by more than half.
