Gov’t will spare no effort in revitalising coconut industry
-Minister Persaud

The coconut industry, is receiving special attention from the Government, as it seeks to elevate the commodity to one of optimum benefits, in keeping with the Ministry of Agriculture’s effort of promoting agriculture diversification, from a market led approach.
            Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today convened a meeting which saw the input of farmers, stakeholders and investors, to discuss the development of a coconut water processing plant.
            A study was completed with assistance from coconut expert Dr. Shivarama Reddy from India, as efforts intensify to have the industry modernised. This will see farmers’ needs addressed and cultivation and market bases expanded.
            Minister Persaud pointed out that the revitalisation plan will see production in terms of quality enhanced, since the product can be used as a base for others.
            This, he said, comes at a time when there is a renewed interest in the coconut industry, by investors hence, the crafting of the plan two years prior to supply the market demand regionally and internationally with coconut and its related product.

Minister Persaud (sixth from left), addresses farmers and stakeholders during meeting to discuss the development of a coconut water processing plant.

             “We also recognised in our country that we have a number of coconut estates which were abandoned while the others were not properly kept and so we convened a meeting with some of those owners and others who were interested in different parts of the country and we came up with a plan looking at all areas, from technical assistance to infrastructural works,” he said.
            The aim of Government is to have a more diversified coconut industry by sourcing other by-products, rather than reliance on the traditional exporting of nuts and copra.
            According to the Agriculture Minister, there was a commonly held myth, particularly in the 70s and 80s that coconut and its by-products contributed to high cholesterol levels, noting that this is one contributing factor for the moving-away from the industry.
“Even amongst ourselves in Guyana we still believe it’s bad to be consuming coconut related products particularly the oil that comes from coconut, but we have seen what has happened in terms of global trends and it did not only affect Guyana, but the coconut in Africa and Asia,” he said. 
            Guyana has since been receiving support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Indian Government in making the industry more vibrant and competitive.         
            To date, the nursery at Hope Estate was restructured while the coconut bottling plant will be completed shortly.
            Minister Persaud while adding that Government is concerned primarily with the export of coconut-based products; emphasised that focus must be on diversification and development of the industry, with technology playing a key role.
            In this regard, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), will be integrally involved in the programme, as well as persons from the private sector, in conjunction with farmers.
            Government will be investing $9M this year in terms of developing appropriate technology; since its main purpose is to improve technology coupled with market opportunities.
            “We have also been looking at the various varieties that are suitable and we will continue to pursue that, but there is lot of work to be done and recognise that and it is one that will continue to get support in the context of our diversification plan for the agriculture sector,” he added.
            There are currently 24,000 hectares of coconut across the country and according to the Agriculture Minister; more can be done to further expand the industry, which will see government sparing no effort in this regard.    
Government has over the years been working to revitalise the industry through workshops, exhibitions and training since its aim is to resuscitate it to such a level that it will also create job opportunities for many. Guyana has been pursuing support from India, and several South American countries to assist in this effort, especially to obtain new varieties.

Spate of armed robberies 
Despite enhanced security arrangement in place 

As the Christmas season approaches, armed robberies according to statistics is on the rise despite Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee's assurance that there is a boost in security. A release from the Police Public Relations Office revealed that Nine men are currently in custody in connection with a series of robberies committed in Linden, Berbice and Georgetown.
              Two suspect is in custody assisting with the investigation of Armed Robbery. At about 11:00h today (December 18,2010), Goldsmith Nandalall Narine of Grove, East Bank Demerara was attacked and robbed by three men armed with firearms.
           According to reports, Narine was in his workshop along with two other workers when the gunmen attacked the business place, and carted off with a quantity of jewellery, $15,000 in cash and a cell phone and escaped in a waiting car.
         Quick response by the police led to the motor car being intercepted at Agricola, on the East Bank and arrested the two suspect.
        Meanwhile, on Friday Annette Dolphin a vendor was attacked and robbed of her jewellery by a lone gunmen at the Stabroek area. An alarm was raised and public spirited persons gave chase, and after several attempts of his escape, the suspect was apprehended along the East Bank at which a .38 snub-nose revolver with four rounds and two empty shells were found in his possession.
        Charges will be made shortly.
        The Police also conducted a search today on a house at Rosehall, Corentyne, during which an unlicensed .32 semi-automatic pistol with two rounds was found. One individual has been arrested and is in police custody.
       A family of Corriverton, Berbice was also attacked, robbed and relieved of a quantity of cash, jewellery and 3 cell phones and escaped.
     

Jagdeo says GAWU will never be derecognised under his Government 

During an invited comment to media operatives last evening upon his return to Guyana, President Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear that there will be no derecognition of the Guyana Agriculture and Workers' Union (GAWU), by the Guyana Sugar Corporation under his Government.
             The President was responding to media reports that GuySuCo, in a letter to GAWU, is threatening to consider derecognition of the Union after a continuing spate of violation of the Collective Labour Agreement by GAWU.
            According to Jagdeo, while he understands the frustration of GuySuCo's Board and Management, the issue of derecognition will not be entertained by his government. while refusing to elaborate on the on-going dispute between the Union and GuySuCo which is hampering sugar production for 2010, he stated that the matter will be discussed at an internal meeting today.
          Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud who was also part of the President delegation also expressed the view that derecognition will not and will never be contemplated. He said he is awaiting a full report of the status of engagement between the Union and GuySuCo's management  from the Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Nanda Gopaul.
       

Measures taken to ensure consumers are not ripped off


The Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps against reports of hoarding and price-gouging by certain retailers in the country. This decision has seen the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), dispatching supplies of rice and sugar at pivotal points across the country.
            This is to ensure that citizens can purchase at the approved prices, and to ensure that they are not ripped off as a result of the hike in prices for basic commodities during the festive season.
            On Saturday, hundreds turned out to purchase rice and sugar from trucks dispatched by the GMC at Port Mourant, Linden, Mahaicony and Mon Repos, at the standard price, according to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture.
            The prices are as follow;-  White rice- $400 gallon, Parboiled (brown) rice- $540 and Sugar- $60 per pound.
           Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on Tuesday cleared the air on the matter by issuing a stern warning to person found black marketing the commodities, noting that action will be taken against anyone found doing such.
          He pointed out that, the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo),  Paul Bhim has sinced advised that a team is currently monitoring the situation for persons found in this act, since there is currently no shortage.
         Teams for GuySuCo and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), have been visiting distributors and retailers.
         Reportedly, the Agriculture Minister has also instructed GuySuCo to review the quantity of sugar the corporation sells to any distributor found guilty of hoarding sugar.
         consumers have over the last week voiced their concerns as it relates to the high prices for basic commodities as such, an investigation has since been launched into the matter and efforts are being made to rectify.