Towards achieving agricultural diversification in 2016

Sep 04, 2016 News

---

Rice and sugar have for some time, overshadowed the conversations on agricultural diversification. However, non-sugar non-rice agriculture is just as important, with tremendous potential to expand the nation’s agricultural base geographically.
Fortunately, Government is geared towards realizing this directive. In fact, the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder said that in 2016, the ministry would be furthering the development of the other crops sector.
In 2015, this sector grew by 2%. In 2016, this is projected to increase by at least 2.5%. The focus is primarily on hinterland agricultural development. Holder said that in the Intermediate Savannahs, infrastructural works would be done to enhance egress and ingress into the area.
He expressed that the acreage under orchard cultivation would be increased considerably. It was noted that a nursery would also be established at Ebini. Large scale commercial production of soybean will commence by the Brazilian firm New Frontier Agriculture Inc.
The Agriculture Minister said that the Government will also finalize agricultural development plans for Regions One, Seven and Eight. He said that in Region One, emphasis will be placed on increasing spice production to initially satisfy local demands (estimated to be US$1m annually).
Holder articulated that the commissioning of a spice factory will further enhance spice production in this region. He said that the focus for Regions Seven and Eight would be on commodities that would enhance food security and livelihoods and support the school feeding programmes in these regions.
“Emphasis will be placed on high value commodities such as black pepper, fejou and carrots for export to the coast. Similarly, we will re-introduce white potato cultivation to satisfy local community demands,” the Minister expressed.
He continued, “Emphasis would also be placed on the management of two important pests – the Black Sigatoka Disease (BSD) in Plantains/bananas and Red the Palm Mite coconut pest.
We will also be augmenting some of the initiatives started in 2015, such as intensification of the use of grated cassava in the baking industry, and pursue soil-mapping of the entire country to finalize the national soil inventory. Mangrove acts as a flood risk management to protect, restore and manage the natural coastline barrier, especially in Regions Two and Four. This year we will expend an additional $25 Million on NAREI’s Mangrove Restoration Project.”
With regard to Livestock Development, Holder said that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority has been allotted G$508,000,000 in the 2016 budget.
Meanwhile, the outlook for 2016 is a modest growth of 0.5%. While Poultry meat and egg production is expected to increase, beef and mutton production is expected to decline mainly as a result of the effects of the El Nino phenomenon.
The expected shortage of rice bran and other agriculture by product feeds would also be expected to affect the supply of feed for pigs and dairy cattle.
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan had alluded earlier this year to government’s intention to re-energize the cattle industry through the development of a milk pasteurization plant. But Holder said that what he did not mention, is that if Guyana is to look at the top 10 food imports into Guyana, it will be seen that ‘milk and cream’ is number one.
Holder recalled that in 2015 Guyana imported US$27M or 9.8 million kilogrammes of milk. This means that milk imports increased by 6.4% in 2015 over the corresponding period in 2014. This represents 19% of total food imports. These figures must be reversed, Holder said.
The Agriculture Minister said that efforts will also be given towards the improvement of the dairy sector by working towards the development of plans for the acquisition of a new milk processing plant along with the re-establishing of a milk collection system. He said that an approach has been made to the FAO for assistance in the development of this initiative.
The Agriculture Minister articulated, “The swine programme has been enhanced by the grant that was awarded to the Swine Farmers Association from the Ministry of Communities, which would result in an importation of improved breeds of pigs, it is envisaged that grant funding would also be made available for the construction of an abattoir and processing facility.”
With respect to poultry eggs and meat production, Holder said that the Authority will be giving enhanced support towards the production and availability of meat and eggs in the rural and hinterland communities with the introduction of the Black Giant dual purpose poultry. These birds produce up to 200 eggs per year and the cockerels can grow up to 4.5 kg. This initiative would also be extended to the residential hinterland schools to reduce dependency on the importation of these commodities.
The GLDA in 2016 is working on the development of the local apiculture industry towards a higher geographical coverage, higher production and international quality standards. This programme involves the unemployed youth, the hinterland regions and schools. Additionally, the GLDA continues to support, financially, the removal of bee hives which pose a threat to the society.
The new hatchery for duck eggs has been completed and the Authority has now doubled the capacity of the incubator and hatcher – looking to produce 300,000 ducklings in 2016. The veterinary diagnostic laboratory will become fully operationalized and attempts intensified for accreditation internationally.

---

---