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NAREI aiming to increase breadfruit population locally
The National Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) recently acquired over 1,000 breadfruit seedlings to increase the plant production locally. This is in keeping with government’s agenda of creating a green economy, says Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Chief Executive Officer of NAREI.
Permanent Secretary George Jervis, Dr Oudho Homenauth and Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder.
Dr. Homenauth, during an interview with the Government Information Agency, on Thursday, revealed that the Institute will be expanding its operations at Bartica, Region Seven to include at least 30 acres of breadfruit plantation. Further, seedlings would also be distributed to farmers.
The seedlings are being housed at NAREI’s Nursery situated at Mon Repos, ECD.
Dr. Homenauth related that on Wednesday, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and Permanent Secretary, George Jervis during a visit to NAREI inspected the seedlings and were updated on the progress of the project.
The acquisition of the different varieties of breadfruit seedlings is a direct result of a call made by President David Granger at last year’s National Tree Day in Bartica, Dr. Homenauth reflected.
He noted that the President has been encouraging persons to venture into the agricultural sector to promote entrepreneurship. Breadfruit, which is preferred to be consumed as chips or ‘boil and fry’ by most Guyanese, could be an alternative to plantain chips. There are a small number of enterprises that are processing breadfruit into flour.
According to Dr. Homenauth, in Guyana, breadfruit is grown on a small scale, mainly by farmers or residents for personal consumption.
The limited availability of planting materials, access to market, land, flooding, and little knowledge on how to cultivate this crop are all factors that affect the production of breadfruit locally.
He added that breadfruit is primarily grown in a mixed cropping system. The average age of the crop is 20 years. It is found predominantly in the Pomeroon River (Region Two); Haslington and Victoria (Region Four), No.7 and Ithaca (Region Five); Bartica (Region Seven); and Linden (Region 10).
He noted that already government in partnership with the private sector is promoting the use of breadfruit. These efforts are being made within communities, schools, etc. Some of these efforts are:
The Carnegie School of Home Economics in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had embarked on a workshop aimed at highlighting the benefits of breadfruit.
The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) promoted breadfruit as a main dish at the 174th Emancipation celebration and highlighted the benefits of the said fruit.
During Linden Town Day, different dishes made by breadfruit were presented by students.
Planting materials for breadfruit are not readily available owing to the botanical characteristics of the crop and the lack of knowledge to propagate it. Currently, efforts are being made by NAREI to educate farmers and to provide planting materials.
There are various advantages presently for farmers interested in the cultivation of Breadfruit. Through intervention by the government, Farmers will be able to access planting materials and have the support of NAREI.
Currently there is a demand for breadfruit locally for processing.
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