First shipment of fertiliser arrives

Oct 08, 2013 News

…as part of Guyana/Venezuela revised agreement

Farmers have over the years been faced with the challenge of high prices for fertiliser, a constraint which affected not only their trade but the high price for agricultural commodities.
Much has been done thus far through the Ministry of Agriculture to remedy the situation, and in September a revised agreement was inked between the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela for Guyana to source fertiliser from the Spanish speaking country at an affordable rate.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that the first shipment of 5000 tonnes fertiliser arrived yesterday morning and is at the Friendship Wharf, East Bank Demerara.
This move will significantly boost the agricultural sector; it will address the cost of production for agricultural products.
“Government has invested much in agriculture, but we do have some constraints, one of which is how to deal with the issue of the high price of sourcing fertiliser and pesticides, not only in the direct use of these things to improve production and yields but also from the perspective of ensuring sustainable environmental practices,” he said.
This agreement paves the way for Guyana to receive 5,000 tonnes in two phases. The second shipment is expected to arrive in March 2014.
Enhanced farming practices, better yields are some of the benefits to be derived from this venture as the two shipments per year, will significantly satisfy the local demand.
“The work that we have done in this region from the FAO, IICA, CARDI and the University of the West Indies and our Ministry, have all recognised this, and we have made significant strides in diminishing these impacts,” the Minister said.
At present the high cost of fertiliser has been impacting the affordability of food in the region and as such, Government has looked to have the situation remedied, hence the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Venezuela.
“The affordability of producing food, the affordability of procuring food, we have all been making some very special efforts…Guyana signed an agreement with President Hugo Chavez and over the last weeks with President Nicolas Maduro was the first step in this process.”
The Agriculture Ministry, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), and the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), will be working collaboratively to develop a programme whereby farmers can have access to the fertiliser at $5000 per bag as compared to the present price of between $7,000 and $10,000. Small scale farmers will be the first to benefit from this venture.

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First shipment of fertiliser arrives

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