Georgetown: Traditional sectors have always long been the backbone of Guyana’s agriculture sector, with rice being the star performer. However, to ensure that the sector continues to thrive; the Ministry of Agriculture is now pushing for farmers to incorporate the use of non-traditionally grown crops and spices.
This far, demonstration plots of Garlic, Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, turmeric, black pepper, ginger and chick peas are now successfully grown at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).
Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy accompanied by Chief Executive Officers, NAREI and GSA Dr. OudhoHomenauth and Mr. Brian Greenidge respectively, and Senior staff paid a visit to the farm to get a hand on approach to some the integrated techniques used to successfully grow the crops.
While some of the techniques involved the use of Hydroponics, others were grown the traditional way of using cultivation under shade house and an open system through grow box.
“We have the opportunity to develop a farmer system within our institutions that are among the best in the Caribbean and Latin America. We still have a long road to travel but I think we have the potential to do so,” Minister Ramsammy said.
Minister Ramsammy spoke of the investment by Government into the NAREI to ensure that the institution not only evolves into one of the lead research institutions of its kind, but as a more elite one in CARICOM.
NAREI and GSA are also open to farmers who are interested in getting hands on approach to agriculture.
During the visit, the Agriculture Minister also interacted addressed the students of GSA, where they were encouraged to embraces changes and to work together to the benefit of not only themselves but the school and the country as a whole.
“You have an opportunity to know the Germplasmof Guyana and to be able to development and take research and farming techniques to another level….these new crops we are embarking on today demonstrates the ability we have as students and as a country as a whole,” Dr. Ramsammy said.
The Agriculture Minister reiterated the important the importance of local, alluding to the fact that much has been achieved over the years, and Guyana is now in a position to ensure that the important of non-traditional commodities becomes a thing of the past.
NAREI is also working to advance large scale of commercial levels of corn and soya production to supply the feed industry. This according to the Agriculture Minister will ensure that the spiraling price of livestock feed is reduced.
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