Georgetown: The effective functioning of the livestock industry plays an integral role in the development of the country’s agriculture sector, to take the lead role in the region.
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), today celebrated its 3rd anniversary, and the authority was urged to work collaboratively to ensure that its mandate to provide enhanced livestock husbandry, health and research is maintained.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy today, underscoring the importance the sector plays, stated that the GLDA is poised through investment and research to take the livestock sector to another level.
He pointed to the fact that the authority’s anniversary comes at a time when the country has high expectations, and where it has transformed into one which can effectively address some of the pressing needs of livestock farmers.
“When we reflect on our three years we have to feel a bit of pride even if we have not met everyone’s expectation…over the last three years we have been able to secure improve breeds of animals of many livestock farmers have significantly benefited from,” he said.
Enhanced pasturage, better research, development and techniques are some of the factor which have propelled the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), over the years.
Improved productivity
Meanwhile, the US$2.5M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory located at Mon Repo which is 77 percent complete will pave the way for technicians to be better equipped to test, detect and diagnose diseases in animals.
Guyana has completed for the first time testing for foot and mouth disease in Guyana of which is a major achievement for the country.
In the past, specimens were required to be collected and transfer to Brazil in order to be tested to determine if the disease exist in the country.
“More than 90 percent of the developing countries in the world, do not have that capacity. The fact that the GLDA can come as one of the very few in the developing world that has the capacity to do that test tells you, that there is something to celebrate in spite that you are only three years old,” Minister Ramsammy pointed out.
Minister Ramsammy also alluded to the fact that Guyana and Barbados is set to have a model small ruminant farm developed in the country.
This according to the Agriculture Minister, is a major achievement for the sector, as it will ensure farmers benefit from enhanced breeds of certified animals.
To ensure that farmers are safeguarded and to further propel the sector, the Ministry of Agriculture is currently in the development phase to have the Animal Welfare and Food Safety Bills taken to Cabinet and later presented to the National Assembly for approval and subsequent passage.
“We are also looking to have a World Class Research Agriculture Sector developed, where countries will look to Guyana for expertise sharing…during this anniversary much has been achieved and continues to be achieved and this is something to celebrate,” he said.
The GLDA Act of 2010 was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by former President Bharat Jagdeoin April 2010. The commencement date of September 1, 2010 was made by an Order signed by Minister Robert Persaud on August 16, 2010 and published in the Official Gazette on August 21, 2010.
Since its formation, the semi-autonomous agency within the Ministry of Agriculture has been promoting greater efficiency within the livestock industry.
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