The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is encouraging private farmers to become more involved in modern agricultural farming. According to CEO of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth this will see the employment of new technology to boost production. The CEO noted that contrary to reports, the private sector is investing in agriculture as a form of business.
Dr. Homenauth along with farm owner Rameesh Ramraptan.
“…When you say business it means that there an investment and investment in what? Not in the traditional things, but what we call more modern systems that are climate resilient, and that is what we have been working on.”
Dr. Homenauth made these observations during a recent visit to a private farm owned by businessman Ramesh Ramrapttan. “Now, this is a case where the private businessman would’ve seen the benefits of this type of production system and has embarked on it on a very large scale.”
Dr. Homenauth urged that creative investments be made. He advised that persons should first study the markets and ascertain what is needed before starting production. The CEO then recommended a look at returns “depending on the materials that you use and the constructions like the wood, but you want something that would last for a long time, this will go for over 10 years. Within a year you can recoup that cost and it has been projected that you can get back at least 40 percent of that investment. That is very high for any investment that anyone does,” Homenauth said.
NAREI continues to offer technical advice towards the management of farms in terms of pests, diseases and soil-use for the production of healthy crops.
Some crops being cultivated
Shade houses constructed on the farm.
Some crops being cultivated under the shade house
