Latest update January 3rd, 2025 4:30 AM
Latest News
- Mohameds drops lawsuit after Sgt. Bascom apologises over murder accusations
- More than 70 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza
- Berbice man drowns at Lake during New Year’s Day outing.
- Motorcycle bandits crash into Hilux to rob driver
- Jagdeo defends 4% interest on US EXIM Bank loan for Gas-to-Energy project
Agriculture is not a purely rustic industry – Ramsammy
– focus on youth population
The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday launched its “Eat what we produce” campaign which Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said is not only to enhance agricultural production but promote the use of Guyanese agricultural products.
Minister Leslie Ramsammy
This initiative, the Minister noted, comes as Guyana gets ready to celebrate Agriculture Month while concluding activities for Agriculture Week.
The Minister clarified that, while this week is Agriculture Week and October is Agriculture Month, “everyday in Guyana is Agriculture Day as our country’s development is very much based on agriculture”.
Agriculture Month will be held under the theme, “Enhancing agriculture through family and the use of sustainable technologies.”
Dr. Ramsammy told the media yesterday that the agriculture industry accounts for 20% of the country’s GDP. He then highlighted the expected achievements in the various agricultural industries, particularly the rice industry, which saw the highest export of rice in Guyana’s history, reaching 400,000 tons. The minister reaffirmed that exporting 500,000 tons is “within the grasp”.
Looking to the future, Minister Ramsammy expressed his hope for the diversification of the Guyanese agricultural industry to include the large scale production of crops such as corn.
He also tied in the importance of environmental safety with regards to agriculture by elaborating on a Biodigester – a mechanism that uses renewable waste to power facilities. This, according to the minister, will be introduced at the Mon Repos School of Agriculture campus to supply renewable energy.
In promoting the theme for Agriculture Month, the Minister voiced that he hopes his Ministry would not only increase the productivity of farmers, but that families can start to contribute to the country’s agricultural output as well.
During the press briefing, the Minister remarked that, through this campaign, Guyanese will no longer see the necessity of buying imported vegetables such as carrots, beets, cauliflower or broccoli, but that citizens can be inspired to grow more of their own crops.
“Guyanese are moving in the direction of increased science and technology”.
As a result, he said, the conception that agriculture is a purely rustic industry must change.
Dr. Ramsammy pointed out that the average age of a farmer in the Caribbean is 60 and that “young people are not as engaged in agriculture as people in the past”.
One way in which the government is updating the appeal of the sector, according to Minister Ramsammy, is by demonstrating to the youth that “agriculture is a business and that it can be as profitable as any business.”
With added emphasis on promoting educational programmes that focus on areas such as hydroponics and agroponics, the Minister believes that agriculture can become “sexier” to the youth population.
In addition, the Minister made it clear that this year’s Agriculture Month has scheduled a plethora of activities which both promote and develop their initiatives for the agriculture sector. This includes participating in Guyexpo 2014.
Also part of the forum was the proposed introduction of an animal care initiative which will see the establishment of free Veterinary Clinics throughout the country. This initiative is intended, according to the Minister, to make “uncared-for animals a thing of the past” in Guyanese society, showing that the country “cares for all living things”.
A number of activities have been planned throughout the month of October in observance of Agriculture Month.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
GUYSUCO’s problems are political not managerial
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The sugar industry has been for centuries Guyana’s agricultural backbone. Yet, its struggles... more
Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The year 2024 has underscored a grim reality: poverty continues to be an unyielding... more
Weekend Cartoon
