Corn, soya bean production being promoted to investors – relevant research data available 

Georgetown : Within the last two to three years, the Ministry of Agriculture, has not issued any permit for the importation of certain commodities largely due to the work of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in researching, testing and introducing the local farmers to the production of the said commodities.
Sweet pepper, cauliflower and broccoli are some of these, as the Ministry is focusing on diversification of the crop sector, and as well, reducing their importation.
Two crops that have been given specific prominence over the year are corn and soya beans which are primary ingredients in animal feed, and Guyana imports about 40,000 tonnes per annum. The focus locally with regards these have been on acquiring and testing higher yields for adaptation to the local conditions.
The local variety of corn that is currently being produced, cannot compete with what is imported because of its yield and production cost. To this end, NAREI went ahead to other countries that have similar conditions as Guyana, and was able to obtain for local adaptation, varieties that yield comparable production to those obtained elsewhere.
Chief Executive Officer, NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth explained that the institute has been working with a pioneer variety of corn obtained from Belize, which yields about five times more than local varieties and which, the agency calculated costs under $30 per pound for production. What is currently being imported into Guyana, works out to about $49 per pound.
Importantly though, the major thrust of NAREI’S effort into the production of corn and soya bean is mainly aimed at having sound data towards engaging foreign investors in the production of these two commodities locally, Dr. Homenauth explained.
“What we have been doing in the last year or two is actually getting these things in, the different varieties, trying to see how they are adapting, work out the different cost of production so that when an investor comes, they do not have to go and do this over, the information is available and it is up to date,” he said.
The NAREI, CEO said that the goal is to get investors to buy in to the required 8,000 acres of corn and 10,000 acres of soya bean that is needed to satisfy the local demands.
“We have a number of persons who have been making inquiries in terms of investment in Guyana and this is what we are promoting. We are not telling people to come and grow boulanger and bora, and those types of crops,” he said.
These two commodities are perhaps half of the food import bill of the Caribbean because all the countries import them for the livestock industry.
Recently during the Budget debate, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy reported that commercial size plots for the production of these two commodities are to be established this year.
The Agriculture Minister also said that the ministry is developing a package for investors, and is expecting to partner with at least one investor this year to develop a semi-commercial enterprise.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s vision is to cut in half, by 2020, the importation of corn and soybean.