|
– $400M for herd expansion, pasturesAs the Government of Guyana seeks creative ways to divert attention from traditional crops, the Ministry of Agriculture has embarked on a project aimed at transforming the beef and dairy industry to accommodate large scale production.Minister of Agriculture,Cleveland Indians Edwin Encarnacion Jersey, Robert Persaud,Michael Bourn Jersey, said that based on technical research, he has concluded that the cattle sector is an area which can achieve feasible,Martin Maldonado Jersey, vibrant diversification if given the necessary investment.Minister Persaud was speaking Friday on the Agriculture Export Diversification Programme at the National Meeting for Livestock Farmers held by the Guyana School of Agriculture in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. He stated that Government recognises the need to diversify the agriculture sector and it has come up with a project that would make a meaningful impact.Agricultural officials and livestock farmers meet with Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, at the Guyana School of Agriculture.“The ship for transforming the livestock sector is leaving the port,Alejandro De Aza Jersey,” the Agriculture Minister said while urging sluggish farmers to catch up.The Minister remarked that Guyana has tremendous capacity for taking care of its domestic needs while becoming a lead exporter in beef and at the same time satisfying its demands for quality.The diversification programme also includes alternative crops,San Diego Padres Jered Weaver Jersey, livestock as well as aquaculture.“Within the ambit of this project we are mulling types of legislations,Kurt Suzuki Jersey, institutional frameworks,New York Yankees Austin Romine Jersey, policies and we have engaged a consultancy firm to guide in the interventions we need to make and to provide technical assistance”.Minister Persaud noted that there is no coherent institution which can co-ordinate the crucial aspects of the livestock industry since this is currently fragmented under different agencies. However, he disclosed that a Bill has been passed in Parliament to allow for the establishment of a Guyana Livestock Development Authority to adequately guide and manage the sector.The project will also see the construction of a veterinary laboratory in Mon Repos that will facilitate the conducting of tests and implementation of a robust animal health surveillance system.However, consultants have determined that Guyana’s herd size,Jason Castro Jersey, of about 280,000 heads, is not sufficient to support additional export as well as local demand.Minister Persaud explained that in an effort to support farmers, Government is investing $400M matching funds to assist in herd expansion, pasture preparation and improve genetic stock.In order to accommodate the explosion of the cattle population, the ministry is also looking for additional land all across the country.The Minister said discussions are ongoing to acquire land in the intermediate savannahs, the left Bank of the Abary River,Gregor Blanco Jersey, 7,000 acres in Berbice for repossession and vast areas in Region Nine that have been lying idle.The issue of herd management was also stressed since Minister Persaud said “everyone will not be able to acquire pasture in their backyards”. |
|