Georgetown: The recently released Mid-Year Report for 2013 states that a new draft regulation for fisheries, traceability of crops and livestock and animal welfare, and a draft marine management plan are among the highlights of the agriculture sector’s achievements for the first half of the year .
A total of $443.1 million of the $1.9 billion allocation to the agriculture sector was expended during this period.
This first draft regulation for fisheries, traceability of both crops and livestock and animal welfare, is in keeping with efforts to enhance the sector’s regulatory framework. The final draft of this document will be completed in the second half of the year according to the report.
Meanwhile, the draft Marine Management Plan completed, outlines sustainable marine fishing practices, and forms part of Guyana’s effort to obtain international certification for sustainable marine fishing.
Other achievements in the agriculture sector during the period includes commencement of production for export at the newly established tilapia farms, a project aimed at increasing tilapia production for export and progression on the construction of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Meanwhile, in drainage and irrigation, work progressed on the Northern Relief Channel and associated drainage structures, and on outfall channels throughout the Regions.
Construction and rehabilitation works, commenced on pumps and pumps stations in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6.
In the first half of 2013, $1.7 billion of the $6.5 billion allocated to drainage and irrigation was expended.
The second half of the year should realise a hatchery to increase the production of ducklings and 250 persons are set to benefit from training courses in aquaculture production, seed technology and germplasm development.
The safety and feasibility analysis of the East Demerara Water Conservancy Dam to be completed at the end of the third quarter, as well as the plan for the operation of the conservancy and detailed list of works for improving conservancy flows and discharge
