Way to go-Guyana must zero in on its cherry

Feb 20, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I heartily read that “The West Indian Cherry (Acerola) is a beloved and popular fruit that many have enjoyed for years in its raw form or in fresh juices, jellies, and other preservatives. (However) While the demand for cherry remains strong in the country (Guyana), especially for use in the fruit juice industry, the country has not been able to maintain a consistent supply.” So, my questions are Why? and How come? I mean Guyana has the space and the weather, and for too long, we have been wasting too many good opportunities, one of which has to do with how our fruits are being harvested and processed. Therefore, this cherry issue must be capitalised on, and it seems as though the Agriculture Ministry is set on pursuing this.

We all know that cherries are primarily consumed fresh, but they are also used in cakes and bakeries, sweets and snacks, jams and juice, alcoholic beverages, and on and on we can go. As per the data of world trade, fresh cherries were estimated at US$ 3.72 billion in 2021, so we are talking big bucks, and this is where the Ministry of Agriculture must be commended.

Internationally, in terms of economics, fruit crops produce a higher yield per unit area of land than any other agronomic crop, regardless of the crop type. Fruit and vegetable yields are in fact 10 to 15 times greater than those produced by conventional agronomic crops in the same area. So, the incentives more than justify why I am backing Guyana in this drive.

As per the local news, I note that the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said although the Guyanese grown cherry is preferred, some local fruit juice producers have had to rely on imported concentrate to meet their demand.  (And) To address these supply issues, over 170 stakeholders participated in a week-long Training Programme held from February 7 to 10, 2023. This is indeed great foresight and planning and it is consistent with the overall drive in the Agriculture Sector of Guyana.

The training in West Indian Cherry production was all about helping Guyana increase its production of cherries for local market consumption. It wisely addressed some of the technical production challenges that have been plaguing agriculture overall for years. I speak here of best agricultural practices and battling the effects of diseases that affect cherry trees. The programme combined classroom training and practical work on cherry nurseries, as the beneficiaries received hands-on training in orchard management, soil management, irrigation, pruning, fertilization and nutrition, pre-and post-harvest handling, propagation, grafting and pest and disease management. Indeed, it was in-depth and intense and rightly so, as for too long, things were just left to chance.

The omen overall was great as FAO Tree Crop Expert, Dr. Rogério Ritzinger, who led the sessions, will continue to support the National Value Chain team in Guyana in the production of cherry, to use the techniques learned during the trainings.  Also on hand was Dr Gillian Smith, FAO Representative for Guyana, who remarked that “our aim is to help build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable value chain. By increasing knowledge and skills in good agricultural practices among all stakeholders involved in the chain, Guyana can achieve its objectives of improving its production, in an environmentally responsible way, while promoting food security and the consumption of locally grown produce”. She concluded that this would also contribute to reducing the CARICOM food importation bill by 25 percent by 2025.

Let me close on this last aspect, as it brings out the long-term plan of the country.

Editor, I think our memory is very fresh with what was said at the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) held back in May 2022. That was when the commitment was made that measures will be put into place, towards achieving the 25 by 25 agriculture target, which is to reduce the regions US$6 billion food import bill by 25 percent by the year 2025. So, we can be optimistic. More so that the FAO will continue to support Guyana in building resilient value chains, that will ensure a consistent and high-quality supply of produce. This is line with President Irfaan Ali, who keeps iterating that “We have the physical and human resources necessary to drive agricultural development, and improve food and nutrition security. But such an enterprise requires cooperation, and cooperation across all sectors. In terms of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), since being elected to office in August 2022, it has invested some 100 billion into the agriculture sector, and there are plans to significantly increase both public and private investments in the coming years.

It is a win-win situation.

Yours truly,

H. Singh.

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• agriculture, cherry, Dr. Rogério Ritzinger, H. Singh, Letters

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