Georgetown: His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday announced that his Government’s vision is to make Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice)the livestock capital of CARICOM as Guyana continues to lead agricultural development and food security at the Regional level.
To achieve this, the Head of State pointed to the need to increase production, quality, technology and infrastructure.
He gave assurance that the process has begun while launching the Black Belly Sheep Project at the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) in Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.
The project, which would aid Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) farmers and bolstered its ruminant industry, has a special focus on women and youth development.
The Head of State was clear that the venture, which has so far attracted 80 farmers with land, must be led by at least 20 per cent female farmers with at least 35 per cent youth involvement (farmers 35-years-and-under).
“This is part of building the future. This is part of empowerment. These are real targets and a real approach in the involvement of people. Not only must agriculture be about food production, it must be built on erasing biases. Agriculture must demonstrate that it has the ability to create an equal society.”
LOW-HANGING FRUIT
The President said that although it will take some amount of investment and effort to advance the project, it is a “low-hanging fruit” with tremendous potential.
He said that Guyana imports approximately 18 metric tons of mutton annually, which costs roughly US$130,000. This market will be absorbed by Region Five, while significant attention will be placed on the regional markets and, in due time, the international market.
The CARICOM market, according to the President, is worth approximately US$48M with 7900 metric tons imported annually from Australia and New Zealand.
The idea, according to the President, is to build capacity to ensure that within the next five years, Guyana is producing enough mutton to supply most of the region’s needs.
He listed Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Barbados as the region’s top consumers of mutton and mutton products and spoke of the importance of getting into those markets.
Barbados, he said, is already on board. A joint project between the sister nations will see Guyana supplying Barbados with mutton.
Although the black belly sheep, originally cross-bred on the island, is native to Barbados, space and other logistical issues have resulted in the island importing approximately 1000 metric tons annually, at a cost of US$6.8M for its residents and tourists.
To kick-start the Black Belly Sheep Project in Region Five, 1000 breeding black belly sheep will arrive from Barbados in the next two weeks.
The Government will lend great support to the initiative, but farmers are tasked with ensuring that their lands have the needed grass for the animals.
“I want to assure you that we in the Government will be side by side with you on this journey.”
UAE VISIT
Barbados is one of a number of nations that are interested in Guyana’s agricultural potential. The President said that his recent visit to the UAE focused on agriculture and the importance of food security.
“I just came back from the UAE, and 90% of the conversation with the leadership and the private sector was not on oil and gas—90% of the conversation was on food security and agricultural diversity and production.”
He noted that three of the largest State-backed establishments in agriculture/food production, the Emirates Future Group, the Al Dahra Group and Elite Group, have indicated their interest in Guyana.
He said that neighbouring Brazil is one of the largest exporters to that region and that Guyana is also looking to get into the markets.
“We have all the competitive advantages here. It is now catalysing it into action and bringing it to the fore so that the benefits can rebound to the country.”
The President also spoke about plans to create a large-scale poultry hatchery and egg production project in Pakuri Village and other initiatives, including swamp shrimps, to help grow all facets of agriculture in Guyana.
“These are the initiatives that are transformative in nature. These are the initiatives that will propel the economy; these are the initiatives that will bring direct benefits to the farmers and enhance our diversification programme. These are some of the initiatives that will ensure that our economy is built on many pillars.”
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