Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud commended the efforts of the Office of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for its participation in agriculture on July 15 at Georgetown Club.
Speaking at the annual Accountability Seminar, the minister said the endeavour to modernise and transform the traditional agriculture sector requires combined efforts from all stakeholders.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud
Persaud highlighted improvements in the agriculture sector over the last four years, and noted different inputs and contributions provided by the IICA. He applauded the technical support which has helped the agriculture sector to reach new heights. He valued IICA’s efforts, and said he looks forward for its continued contribution to boosting the agriculture sector.
“In fact, we look forward for similar support, and also much more relevant support.
“In the discussion that I’ve had with the new director general, we have explored ideas how… IICA can be much more effective in terms of supporting the regional agricultural thrust, but also supporting more efforts here in Guyana.” According to the minister, Guyana is in process of pursuing final steps of its national food and nutrition strategy, which will set the long- term structure for the new agricultural sector, which is currently in formation.
Minister Persaud said that the country’s main agricultural activities have seen an increase when compared to last year’s report. “…we have seen sugar production on an increase. If you look at half-year 2011, if you compare it with half-year 2010, there was an increase by about 30 per cent; and for rice, 23.5 per cent in terms of growth.” The country’s response will have to be adjusted as the dynamics of Guyana are changing in terms of rural and traditional livelihoods. “We will have to readjust ourselves nationally to deal with the new dynamics and new realities,” Minister Persaud said.
In remarks at the ceremony, IICA representative Ignatius Jean explained the Technical Cooperation Agenda 2010 and Country Strategy of the organisation, as it seeks to help Guyana improve the local agriculture sector.
IICA and NARI have been conducting field trials for hydroponics systems to observe the performance of selected crops in various media, and nutrient treatment to test cooperation, productivity and competitiveness.
The international organisation also led a secondary schools’ hydroponics competition, which was launched in 2007 among 15 schools with 150 participating students, and this has grown in popularity and has caused the Education Ministry to expand the programme to 38 schools and 380 students in 2010.
