Guyana’s Food Security Strategy to be launched as part of Agriculture Month activities

October is Agriculture Month in Guyana and several activities are to be staged in highlighting the achievements of the sector and to give farmers, agro-processors, among other stakeholders, an opportunity to showcase their products.
            Chairperson of the Agriculture Coordinating Committee (ACC), Basdeo Dwarka updated media operatives during a press briefing in the Agriculture Ministry’s Boardroom today; on planned activities for Agriculture Month 2010. This year’s theme is “Fighting global hunger through Agriculture Diversification in Guyana.”
            Guyana is known as a country that is food secure, and according to Dwarka, by increasing agriculture production through the Ministry’s Agricultural Export Diversification Programme (ADP), efforts to combat world hunger can be achieved.
            The month’s activities are also in keeping with the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s theme for World Food Day “United against hunger.”
            He noted that recognition will be given to livestock development, and the Livestock Development Authority. There will be distribution of livestocks and a bee forum.
            “With respect to fruits and vegetables the National Agricultural Research Institute’s (NARI’s), facilities will be commissioned, that will be aiding and driving fruits and vegetables. We will also have a Pesticide and Residue and Safety forum with the health aspect by the Pesticide Board during that period,” he said.
            Aquaculture is also one method of diversifying the future of the local agricultural economy, as it possesses the potential to become one of the country’s leading export earner. In line with this, a day will be dedicated to Aquaculture where officials will be touring and inspecting several farms countrywide.
            In the area of Drainage and Irrigation, Dwarka pointed out that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), will also be playing a key role noting that, “The NDIA will be having their say and we will be kicking off with them for the Hope Dochfour Canal.”
At Moleson Creek 3000 hectares for private farmers will be drained.
            The activities of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), GuySuCo and the Guyana Forestry Commission will be highlighted and as such, emphasis will be placed on non-timber products. A two-day forestry community seminar will be held in the Forestry Complex in this regard.
            Enhancing food security which has been a priority of Government will be boosted as the Ministry of Agriculture will be launching Guyana’s Food Security Strategy, as a main component of activities for Agriculture Month.
            “We will also be having an Appraisal Seminar to further examine our current requirement and the way forward.”
            Meanwhile, General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Nizam Hassan while noting that the Ministry of Agriculture’s presentation at Guyexpo, will be in support of its theme; disclosed that this year the Ministry will not be hosting an agrifest and as such, October 2 is dedicated to the event.
            Hassan stated that the planned activities will be showcasing how the Ministry has re-organised itself towards a value chain approach as it relates to agriculture development.
            This year Guyexpo is being held under the theme “Expanding investments in a sustainable environment.”
            Agencies such as the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Forest Products Development Marketing Council, New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Fisheries, Aquaculture and Apiculture and the Hydromet service will be showcasing their products.
            Presentation by the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Committee and the Climate Change Unit will also be done, in keeping with the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, which seeks to transform the country’s economy while combating climate change.