Govt. will wherever appropriate support proposals such as Mr. Sankar’s

Feb 10, 2010 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I note with great concern the issues raised by Mr. Beni Sankar, Chairman of the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana in an article captioned, “Aquaculture Sector Starving for Resources – Beni Sankar” published in the Guyana Times dated 8th February 2009. The Department of Fisheries has always had a good relationship with Mr. Sankar and recognises him as a respectable entrepreneur who has made valuable contributions to our country.
However, even the best of us may not be aware of the factors that influence the bigger picture at times. With this in mind, I wish to address some of the issues Mr. Sankar has raised in the local media recently on the development of the aquaculture sub-sector. Let’s bear in mind that resource allocation, especially when limited, must be planned with detailed strategic and risk management considerations.
I wish to commend the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana (NAAG) for their pivotal role in the development of aquaculture. It is expected that private entrepreneurs take the lead role in pushing for advancement of the sub-sector, with Government clearing the way by developing policies and executing relevant support programmes. The Government with support from organisations such as the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), USAID/GTIS, the Inter-American Development Bank and others have invested and achieved much in the development of aquaculture. We have seen the establishment of the Satyadeo Sawh Aquaculture Station, a facility that is used to execute research activities, train farmers and importantly, produce fingerlings. The station is run by the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture.
The Government through the Fisheries Department has been targeting the development of the sub-sector strategically. The development of an aquaculture park as proposed by Mr. Sankar is a good idea, and Government will continue to consider and wherever appropriate, support such proposals.
However, many such proposals involve risk and investment considerations, many of which are unforeseen. The strategy is to develop the sub-sector broadly, therefore spreading risk.
The vision of the Fisheries Department is to have well developed large and small aquaculture farms. With reference to tilapia pond culture for example, we envision that in each tilapia producing Region (we have selected Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) there will be large producers with surrounding small farmers (satellite farms). Large farms would be able to penetrate the export market and buy from satellite farms to ensure consistent supply. Small farms would be able to start up faster and have their produce adsorbed in the local market. The Fisheries Department has even embarked on a small campaign to introduce locals to the tasty tilapia, with free sample tasting at local events. The large and small farms approach addresses large scale commercial activity, diversification and poverty reduction.
With the development of large farms the Government’s policy supports investors with duty free exemptions for inputs, equal treatment to all, land allocation, technical support, and other forms of assistance, free of cost. The Fisheries Department has recognised the difficulty in starting up an aquaculture farm, especially for small farmers. Financing is difficult. We have realised that much of the startup cost, apart from acquiring land, is with construction of ponds. The Department has a dynamic list of interested persons in each of the regions who are interested in aquaculture. This list of persons has been incorporated into the recently widened extension operations. The widened extension programme includes free technical advice and guidance; and whenever possible, provides services of excavators to construct ponds, free of cost.
The construction of ponds enables farmers to start operations easily without a high exposure to investment cost, thereby reaching a return on investment earlier. It is up to the farmer to take investment seriously. Our principle is to teach persons how to fish rather than give them a fish every day.
The management of water has always been a top priority for Government. However, it is the management of water on the aquaculture farm that should be important to the farmers. The Department of Fisheries provides free technical support and training in this area. Water salinity, turbidity, oxygen content and other parameters require continuous monitoring on an aquaculture farm. Many times farmers do not follow the advice of the
Department’s extension staff and then they complain.
With respect to feed supply and development, the Fisheries Department has recognised that the aquaculture sub-sector, and fish feed are being developed in parallel. We cannot allow the development of feed to decide the pace of aquaculture development. Although there is much research being undertaken by Government and private sector, quality local feed may take some time to develop. Feed studies were undertaken at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station in collaboration with the University of Arizona, NAAG
and USAID/GTIS. Data from these studies is being analysed.
The main problem with local feed production is the scarcity of a quality and sustainable protein source. The Fisheries Department is currently undertaking additional research in this area. In the interim, the Government will allow the duty free importation of feed in order to ensure that the sub-sector advances with optimum productivity.
The Government though the Ministry of Agriculture continues to allocate resources for the development of the aquaculture sub-sector. The Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station provides information on site selection, pond preparation and farm management. Technology transfer and training is offered to local farmers free of cost.
The Department of Fisheries continues to maintain and upgrade the Satyadeow
Sawh Aquaculture Station and its extension services, including processes, service, equipment and resources. The Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station has tripled fingerling production in 2009 and additional upgrades are currently being implemented for 2010.  The staff complement at the aquaculture station is being upgraded with the hiring of additional skilled personnel, and exposure of staff to various training programmes, including those overseas.
Apart from staff training, the Fisheries Department has facilitated the training of over one 140 persons in aquaculture for 2009. Training is expected to expand in both programme content, and number of persons trained for 2010.
Also, 65 field visits were conducted in support of aquaculture development where technical advice on pond design, water quality tests, feeding rate and stocking density were provided. This figure is expected to double in 2010.
Recently, a commercial hatchery was commissioned at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara. The Ministry of Agriculture assisted with the construction of eight earthen ponds and one reservoir in the establishment of the hatchery, free of cost. This facility, which is owned by Chico Persaud, a NAAG member, is expected to ensure that there is a constant and sufficient amount of fingerlings for the aquaculture sub-sector. Another investor, Onverwagt Aquaculture Enterprise, also a member of NAAG, is to commission a large aquaculture farm shortly. Government has played an important role in assisting this investor. The Fisheries Department also continues to work with smaller groups and farmers such as the Trafalgar/Union Community Development Council in developing their aquaculture operations.
The Government of Guyana has embarked on pilot projects with small farmers in the Mahaicony area. The farmers were assisted with pond construction, training, fingerlings and technical advice. These pilot projects are being developed as a model for the introduction of aquaculture in communities in which persons in the communities, including school children can be trained at pilot farms. The Department of Fisheries expects to replicate this project in other areas and is working with other communities to develop similar projects.
The Government is committed to the aquaculture sub-sector and understands the difficulties faced by investors and therefore maintains an open door policy. Persons are free to visit the Fisheries Department with any concern and it will be addressed. It has to be understood that in any investment activity that there are constraints, resource limitations, risks and other challenges. Government’s role is to enable investment and mitigate difficulties. Aquaculture is being seen as an option in stimulating commercial activity (production) and alleviating poverty.
Additionally, it is a key component of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). No one person, group or class will be singled out for assistance by Government. An all inclusive approach will ensure benefit to Guyana. I wish to express my regards to NAAG and its Chairman and look forward to fruitful partnerships in the future.
Vivek Joshi
Chief Fisheries Officer

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