Latest update January 7th, 2025 4:10 AM
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Agri sector not severely affected by financial meltdown – Minister Persaud
– GAPA re-launched
The agriculture sector has not been severely affected as a result of the global financial crisis, notwithstanding the fact that there were some difficulties for farmers.
Farmers collecting planting materials yesterday at the Conference Centre.
This is according to Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, who during the re-launching of the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association on Friday last, said that this means that there is need to recognise that farmers must not be “frustrated or too disillusioned” with what is taking place in the global financial scenario.
There are still opportunities, he said, adding that the international environment in trade is very uncertain and farmers should be very conscious of that fact.
Speaking about the need for diversification in the sector, Persaud said that Guyana is too dependent on rice and sugar.
This, he said, is one of the major reasons why the European Union price cuts on sugar will have severe impact on the country’s ability to deliver goods and services.
Diversification of agriculture is imperative and important, the Minister said, explaining that in this regard for the first time Guyana now has a dedicated programme for agricultural diversification.
“This diversification is not about just telling farmers to grow and to plant… it is focused on the fact that in the long run other crops or other livestock will be as important to the national development as rice and sugar.”
The entire thrust of the diversification programme, Persaud added, is to remove the country’s reliance and vulnerability from two particular crops.
On Friday, the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association (GAPA), which was first established in 1974, was re-launched at the International Conference Center, Liliendaal.
GAPA currently has about 450 registered members.
With the re-establishment of GAPA it is poised to advance the non-traditional agricultural farming sector, including small scale producers.
The organization will place specific emphasis in the areas of productivity, management, research, training and marketing information.
The re-launching attracted farmers from across the country as the venue was almost filled to capacity.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, who was also at the re-launching ceremony, stressed the importance of hinterland farmers’ contributions to the country’s economy.
She pointed out that the agriculture sector remains the most reliable sector, pointing out that by being very organized farmers stand to gain more as it would be to their advantage.
Sukhai challenged the organization to work with farmers to meet the needs of the local market.
She urged that GAPA coincide with the New Guyana Marketing Corporation to enhance their marketing capability and explore partnerships for new technology.
It was stressed that this re-launching comes at a time when a country’s independence is now dependent on its ability to be food secure.
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