NAREI reaps first batch of English potatoes

Apr 17, 2014 News

– Making strides in diversification programme

The National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) have been successful in producing its first batch of English potatoes, as part of its agriculture diversification programme. This is according to Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Agriculture in a press statement yesterday.
The Minister on Tuesday witnessed the harvesting of the first batch of potatoes at NAREI’s nursery demonstration plot located at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy looks on as Mr. Fredricks harvests the English potatoes.

The demonstration plots of potatoes were reaped on day 42 by Dr. Ramsammy and one of the lead researchers of the institute David Fredricks.
According to the release, NAREI in keeping with its plan to diversify the agriculture sector embarked on the planting of a number of non-traditional crops. To facilitate the programme, researchers have created several demonstration plots at NAREI.
Among the non-traditional crops currently grown are garlic, carrot, turmeric, ginger and chick peas.
“This is a good day for us in Agriculture. Gone are the days when we import such produce when in fact we have enough land space, experienced and qualified persons and the will-power to ensure that such things become a reality” Dr. Ramsammy said.
While underscoring the importance of agriculture to Guyana, the Minister noted that NAREI will continue to work on such projects with the aim of ensuring the country’s import bill is significantly reduced.
“Such interventions by Government is to ensure that we not only reduce our import bill but also increase our export Bill…I am proud of my dedicated staff at NAREI and encourage them to continue the good work the institute has already commenced and this will go a far way,” Dr. Ramsammy said.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth reiterated his agency’s commitment to ensuring that non-traditional varieties of crops which are adaptable to soil type and climatic conditions on the coast are introduced.
Such initiatives were embarked upon by farmers in Regions Seven and Eight; however a number of factors including the high cost to transport the commodities brought an end to the venture.
While this has been a success for NAREI, such a venture didn’t come easily. This is according to Dr. Homenauth, who related that researchers encountered a number of difficulties in the initial phase such as soil type, and pest attack.
“During extensive research we found that growing the potatoes under shaded cultivation instead of in the open has also helped in this regard….To date, we have mastered our soil type and managed pest attack to a significant level” the CEO said.
While NAREI has been progressing well with respect to research, Dr. Homenauth noted that much more can be done. One challenge includes access to state-of-art planting materials, which will be more feasible. This is currently being procured through assistance from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
The research aspect of the agency is being manned by 23 researchers. The aim of NAREI is to reduce imports by 50 percent within the next year. As such, the agency is open to working with farmers countrywide and to lend assistance through expertise sharing where necessary, the release said.
It was noted that a decade ago crops such as broccoli and cauliflower which were known to have special dietary factors, were imported and only made available in supermarkets. However, today such crops are grown locally in Guyana and are accessible to all.