As Guyana moves towards implementing the Green Economy initiative Minister of Agriculture the Honourable Noel Holder, has called on Guyanese to remain in Guyana. The minister had indicated that one of his aims is to see systems put back in place to have more agricultural activities carried out in the hinterland regions of Guyana.
Most of Guyana’s population resides on the coastland and as a result most of the agricultural activities are carried out there. This leaves a very large portion of the country’s land mass underutilized. As the effects of climate change becomes more rampant the agricultural activities being carried out on the coastland are being negatively affected in view of its flood prone status.
With efforts being made to sign market deals with larger nations, Minister Holder indicated that these nations require a vast quantity of products in order to ink deals and Guyana often loses out on such deals as it is unable to supply the demand of these nations.
“Size is a problem to get into many overseas markets. We have the land, but we do not have the people” Minister Holder explained.
He also stated that the Intermediate and the Rupununi Savannahs have been identified to be further developed for agricultural purposes. Last week Minister Holder attended the Rupununi Agriculture and Business Expo and was able to get a first-hand look at some of the agriculture activities carried out in the Region.
This initiative calls for great human resource capacity. The Minister indicated that in order for the agriculture sector to thrive there is need for more persons getting involved in the development of projects to plant crops and rear animals in the quantum capacity, and to the standards, required by the international market.
In addition, the Agriculture Minister also spoke of the Ministry’s plans to work closely with the Ministry of Tourism to promote Agro-Tourism in view of its beautiful and varied ecosystems.
