…agri sector becoming one of the most attractive industries in Guyana – Minister
A new model farm has been commissioned in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The $14 million facility was officially opened on Saturday by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha commissioned a model farm at Talorgie, Corentyne.
Funding for the project was provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
It is the fourth such facility to have been commissioned by the government and the second in Berbice. The aim according to the agriculture minister is to have a model farm in each Region. Apart for the new farm on the Corentyne, there is also one at Fort Wellington, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and in Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The farm comprises a storage room, shade houses, cattle pen, composting house, Vermicomposting huts, small ruminant’s pen, Black Giant Pen, and swine pens as well as demonstration plots for orchards and high-value crops such as bell pepper. It also has tanks with blackish water shrimp and tilapia allowing the opportunity to see how they can be reared in commercial quantities in small spaces.
Addressing a gathering of school children and farmers at the commissioning, Mustapha pointed out that technology must be embraced.
“Agriculture is not just a farmer walking around his farm with a cutlass cutting bushes,” he said.
“Over the past four years, agriculture has become one of the more attractive sectors in our country,”
Mustapha said model farms in modern Guyana are essential as the country focuses on sustainable agriculture, innovation and modernization in the sector.
“Many times people look at agriculture as being a job for people who never went to school or a job for people in the middle of mature age and a job that doesn’t have much status but we are trying to change that perception,” Mustapha said while noting that over the last four years the sector has become one of the most attractive in Guyana.
The agriculture sector grew by 12 percent in 2023 and for the first of 2024 it has grown by 8.7 percent.
“We have built a soil lab where we are going to be doing test so that farmers can know what types of crops they can grow in various areas,” the Agriculture Minister noted.
“We intend to do mass tests in the entire country so that farmers can know what type of soil they have and we can advise them what type of crops is best suited for those areas. We have seen a total transformation in the agriculture sector with new crops,” he continued.
The minister said in order to capture the interest of young people agriculture must be made modern, more reliant, and less labour intensive.
“Although many of them would have gone to the Guyana School of Agriculture and obtained a diploma in agriculture, or would have gone to the University of Guyana and came out with a degree in agriculture or agronomy, they are still not doing agriculture, they rather to do clerical work. Since we have launched a company that the President conceptualized – the Agriculture Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, where young people are shareholders of this company and t the end of the year they are receiving dividends, we are seeing hundreds of young people coming and embracing agriculture,” Minister Mustapha disclosed.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman David Armogan in underscoring the importance of agriculture in Guyana which is now considered an oil-producing country noted that there had been growth in all sectors within the industry in Region Six.
Education Officer with responsibilities for agriculture in Region Six Yonette Crandon said the opening of our model farm is not just a piece of land; it is a vision brought to life, a testament to innovation, sustainability, good leadership, and community collaboration.
“Our commitment to farming goes beyond mere production; it encompasses the principles of stewardship, environmental responsibility, and the pursuit of knowledge. This model farm serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating how we can harness modern techniques while respecting traditional practices,” the Education Officer said.
The initiative, she added, aims to showcase the best practices in sustainable agriculture from crop rotation and organic farming to innovative irrigation methods and renewable energy solutions.
“This farm should inspire farmers’ community members alike to adopt strategies that not only enhance productivity but also protect our precious resources for future generations.”
She said the initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to promoting sustainability and responsible farming practices.
“This Model Farm will serve the 17 secondary schools in Region Six as an excellent platform for students to engage in experiential learning, working alongside experts and industry professionals. This immersive environment will not only enhance their understanding of agricultural practices but will also encourage innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that are critical in today’s economy.”
President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) Poonai Bhigroo encouraged the students to take up agriculture and utalise technology.
New farming land being opened up
The CCCC President also pointed out the need for more land to become available in Region Six or farming, pointing out that many young people are seeking to get into farming but are faced with high costs for the rental of farming land.
On this note, the agriculture minister said 38,000 acres of land are being opened up for farming in Region Six. He pointed out that a Technical Implementation Committee (TIP) has been formed in Region Six.
“Two weeks ago, I formed that committee and they are now putting up ideas on how we can expand and develop the 38,000 new acres of land on the Corentyne going up to Moleson Creek. We already have that money budgeted.”
The land to be opened up stretches from Number 52 Village to Moleson Creek.
Mustapha said that very shortly, the TIP should submit a report to the Agriculture Ministry on how the new land should be developed and what crops should be planted there. (G4)
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