Dear Editor,
Our beautiful country is endowed with many resources. While development is ongoing, I am of the firm belief that if more emphasis is placed on agriculture we can become a very viable nation. Agriculture is the springboard for development. This blessed country has an abundance of fertile soil and numerous waterways. With these two precious commodities we can grow our own food. However in spite of the numerous benefits of agriculture, I feel that much more needs to be done.
Firstly we need to educate all and sundry about agriculture. The government of the day needs to instil in its people the notion that there is dignity in agriculture. This process needs to commence in all educational institutions from nursery to tertiary. Agriculture must be a separate subject in all primary schools.
In secondary schools Agriculture should be included in the core subjects – Maths, English, Social Studies, Science and Agriculture. In all the streams in secondary school Agriculture must be compulsory like Mathematics and English.
Also in all the faculties at university students must be made to do Agriculture in certain semesters. The same must be the case for CPCE teachers.
Also on all the television channels there must be at least a half hour programme every day related to agriculture. Programmes must edify citizens on how to prepare, care, reap, and rotate crops, etc.
I say all this because our education system is spawning a mountainous number of academics. Soon we will not be able to absorb these qualified persons. However if the required knowledge and importance of agriculture are taught to our young people they would happily go to the soil and create self employment. Foods will be cheaper in our country and much foreign exchange will be gained. This will reduce praedial larceny and every inch of our country will be gainfully utilized. With government subsidies young people will be encouraged do Agriculture which is the vertebral column for our country’s development.
Food is short in many countries. Famine may be imminent in some. Guyana is virtually free from many catastrophes. Our population is small in relation to the country’s size. We need to transform our waste lands into arable areas. In order to do this I wish to reiterate that we have to start with our young minds and illuminate in them an awareness of the importance of agriculture.
Yours faithfully,
S Ramroop
