There is a need to pursue agriculture research

Dear Editor,
I applaud the ‘pursuit of a dream’ by Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy. He has committed to the realisation of a sister school at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), with the aim of enhancing and progressing the institution’s agriculture research capacity and capability.
This is a sign of growth and it is concomitant with any evolving society. I am excited and more so, because the ‘area of specialisation’ is what is most necessary in Guyana.
Before I go on, I have to tell of a ‘broken heart’ issue. I would visit Canals (One and Two) on many occasions and I just cannot believe my eyes. I would see bags and bags of fruits just going to waste – mangoes, psydiums, kowa etc. I remember my friend – he took a big maamy and pelted down a giant sized kowa. I am very sure that all of this waste is uncalled for. I think along the lines of preserved and dried fruits and making of fruit beverages.
Guyana should not even be worried about ‘soft/ aerated’ drinks. We have stuff here man! Anyway, Dr Ramsammy made this ‘research’ commitment during an address at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, during the institution’s 48th convocation ceremony.
The minister was at the time lamenting the need for the institution and the School of Agriculture at the University of Guyana to have more investments and upgrading towards delivering students who are better prepared to face the agriculture challenges and to take the sector forward. See what I mean – I am right on target.
I like this assessment: “Both need more investments, further curriculum development and upgrading.” However, the minister needs to grapple with the fact that the upgrading and expansion call for money and personnel.
Guyana has to go to the next level. Not an LOL here – people are not using Morris Oxfords and so – no one wants to ‘roll up/ down’ windows. Just that little button does the trick. Progress must be the aim. So it is nice to know that government is “taking a good look at facilities”, towards ensuring that “places like GSA and the University of Guyana play a pivotal role in the introduction of technology to the students for agriculture development.”
I recently learned that the English and Mathematics results were below par and I hope that these areas can be shored up as well. Education is holistic – it should be. Also, as a nation progresses, the leaks must be blocked, lest there is more mess than progress.
Readers will remember that GSA was established in 1963 with the aim of promoting and developing agriculture through technological advancement and the theoretical and practical training of young people. So it is almost five decades and it is really important that the ‘step up’ and ‘step out’ begin. I do add my congratulatory note to the 111 students who graduated. They completed various courses of study at the institution’s Mon Repos and Essequibo campuses. Now I wish them further success professionally and academically.
Yours truly,
Romario Arjune