UWI to offer agribusiness degree at UG

– lauds Guyana’s agri sector

Guyanese students can now further educate themselves to capitalise on the opportunities within the agricultural sector, as the University of the West Indies will be offering a degree in agribusiness via the University of Guyana, come September 2011.

At the official launch of the course, on Wednesday, May 25, at Duke Lodge, Kingston, the move was lauded as a necessary tool to develop the agriculture sector in line with technology. Professor Dyer Narinesingh, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at UWI, noting the escalating prices for food and food security challenges, called for strategic vision on the part of UWI to deal with the challenges competitively. He added that the vision of the university was to see the Caribbean agriculture sector diversify and move away from the traditional ‘screwdriver industries’ such as tourism. He added that agriculture plays a multi-sectoral role, is technology-driven, and has a big impact on the socio-economic development of the Caribbean landscape.

However, to maximise on the benefits of the sector, it is necessary to create new avenues for development, hence the introduction of the agribusiness degree. The course will help to develop entrepreneurs within a sector which has long been dependent on farmers as the producer and marketer. UWI Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Harris, in addressing the gathering, said that the collaboration between the University of Guyana and UWI will increase and change the way agriculture is seen by students.

Guyanese Professor Clement Sankat, campus principal of St Augustine, noted that agriculture was one of Guyana’s important sectors, and it was important for the agriculture business community to have experts. He added that Guyana was one of the countries that established UWI before pulling out and starting the UG. He noted that notwithstanding the presence of UG, he hoped that more Guyanese students can position themselves to contribute to UWI, as before.

Dr Carlisle Pemberton, senior lecturer of the faculty of science and agriculture, noted that Guyana’s agriculture sector was remarkable in its own way. He pointed out that Guyana is focusing on making its traditional industries of rice, sugar and fresh produce successful before moving on to non-traditional crops.

The coursework of the degree will be covered in a two-year period. The entry requirement is a bachelor’s degree.

Skills lacking

Local Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, who delivered the feature address at the forum, said that while the agriculture sector is thriving, it is faced with the challenge of inadequate marketing skills and competence in the sector. He went on to commend UWI for launching the programme, but added that while those with education will access it, a majority of the key players – farmers – are without the necessary requirements to gain entry into the programme. These farmers are trained at the Guyana School of Agriculture and the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute, among other places.

Nevertheless, he pointed towards the work of the Agriculture Ministry in offering simple short-term courses to help farmers do basic bookkeeping, accounts and the necessary paperwork for their businesses. “The (degree) programme will fill the gap… Agriculture has to change, we need to see agriculture less from a production standpoint to a business standpoint,” the minister said.

This, he said, is the only way Guyana can achieve its potential in producing skilled personnel, scientists and policymakers to fully realise the objectives of the agriculture sector.