Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on his first visit to the Guyana School of Agriculture told students of the role their institution must play in the nation’s development programme.
At the Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara institution on Monday students were urged to make contributions in new technologically advanced sectors in agro-engineering such as bio-diesel and ethanol production.
The minister informed the students, along with a number of teachers and auxiliary staff, that the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) had already started work in the area of bio-diesel, attracting interested companies from Brazil and the UK.
He pointed out to the youngsters at the GSA auditorium that Guyana would need to provide skills to work in such areas, while noting the 35 billion gallons per annum production of ethanol in the United States. Illustrating the importance of the area, he added that the US is also investing more in this field.
Persaud also disclosed that an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) team has been working along with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to garner support for such a programme. Therefore, he told students, “there is a bright future for you to work and be entrepreneurs within the agriculture sector.”
Early in his presentation, at which the school’s Principal Lynette Cunha and Chairman of the School Board Rudolph Gajraj were also present, the agriculture minister reiterated the importance and relevance of the GSA to national needs. He emphasized that although the school has in the past produced regional leaders, it cannot survive on its legacy alone.
Students were told of the administration’s plan to expand its reach in the area of agriculture to take advantage of the US$3B export market in the Caribbean. So far, he said, the government has only achieved some US$4M of this market and, “I’m not talking about the US and Europe as yet.” Persaud also mentioned the issue of under-used capacity here, noting that if utilized this would “allow us to make a much greater dent (in the Caricom market).”
Agri-business, he noted, has to stand up to climate change and globalization in addition to a world where products must be wholesome enough to satisfy rigorous sanitary testing. “All these things influence how we cultivate and do agri-business,” Persaud told the attentive group of students.
He also reminded the students of the need to view agriculture as a business, using the analogy of persons hiding several thousands of dollars under their beds while having animals worth in excess of $30,000 roaming the streets. Persaud said further, “You are the agents to make us look at agriculture more as a science and business.”
He told the students that the government feels the investment of some $1M each on them was worthwhile, but thought is being given towards improving the programmes offered by the GSA.
He pointed to the need for training in research and better extension services in which graduates can play a role.
GSA expansion
Persaud also referred to consideration of new courses for the GSA curriculum in areas such as aquaculture to make graduates more marketable.
The administration, he said, is seeking to expand the GSA programme to Essequibo, Berbice and Linden. There are plans too for online training programmes administered through the GSA for those persons who do not have the time to attend classes at the East Coast campus.
Resources of the GSA and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Persaud stated, also have to be better synchronized for improved research and utilization by students since the two institutions “share the same fence.”
