(Source:DPI)
– Guyana, China partner for 2nd Aquaculture Technology Training Course
– Participants include farmers and students
Farmers from across Guyana; namely Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9, along with students and other private sectors partners, on Wednesday, began training in Aquaculture Technology. This exercise was made possible through a collaboration between the governments of Guyana and China.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd
Speaking at the opening session of the training course, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd explained that at the moment, the fishing sector was experiencing challenges which resulted in the country’s fishing resources dwindling significantly. “There is over-exploitation, unregulated and illegal fishing practices.”
According to Nedd, the training course comes at a significant time, as further promotion of aquaculture is greatly needed.
“The promotion of aquaculture in Guyana is of great priority, and we are blessed with land, fresh water and reasonably, favourably good conditions to make aquaculture a significant part of our economic earnings.”
Participants of the 2018 Overseas Training Course in Aquaculture Technology
Ambassador Forbes July, the incoming Director of the Department of International Cooperation, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the imposing and sharing of knowledge and experience was important to further development of the sector, here in Guyana.
“Here in Guyana, there are possibilities for development of the subsector, with the emergence of viable economic production to supply both the local market and beyond, as well as create opportunities for sustainable livelihood”.
Charge d’ Affairs, Chen Xilai
Meanwhile, Charge d’ Affairs, Chen Xilai lauded Guyana and China’s cooperation and friendship, which he says dates back to 1972 when diplomatic relations were established. He noted that exchanges since then, in the areas of health, education and culture have become frequent.
According to Chen, an assessment team visited Guyana in April this year to fully investigate the training needs required for the program.
“In order to have a better understanding of the training needs of Guyana and ensure the smooth implementation of this program, a program team from Fujian Institute of Oceanography has visited Guyana to conduct pre-stage field investigation and communication for the specific implementation of the training program”
The government, through the various arms of the Ministry of Agriculture, has been encouraging agricultural diversification as a means of mitigating the challenges posed to food production by climate change.
