A magazine focusing on the agriculture sector was launched yesterday with farmers being urged by President Bharrat Jagdeo to diversify and become computer literate.
‘The Farmer’, an initiative of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) was officially launched at Buddy’s International Hotel in the presence of government officials, members of the RPA and farmers.
However, as pointed out by General Secretary of the RPA, Dharamkumar Seeraj, it was a re-launching as the ‘Farmer’ had previously been presented in a four-page newspaper format sometime in the 1980’s. The magazine, which was handed out free at yesterday’s launching is currently priced at $300. Included in the issue were articles on the rice industry, agro-energy, and pieces relating to trade, among others. Also included were cartoons, short stories on persons and a ‘Farmer’s Mailbox’. The editor is Parvati Persaud-Edwards.
In giving the feature address, President Jagdeo urged farmers to diversify and become computer literate. “Some of you have to diversify”, he told the farmers adding that the government would assist them. He noted that the government was working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on a diversification project. He stated that this will start in the most vulnerable areas, which are prone to flooding.
To applause from the farmers, the President pledged 50 computers and a grant to the RPA to ensure that farmers learn how to use the computer. In lauding the production of the magazine, he urged that a more expansive online edition be produced. He expressed the hope that within the next five years every farmer knows how to use the computer. He informed the gathering that negotiations will start in the next few days “to break GT&T’s monopoly” so that each home can benefit from changes in technology.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo noted that there many challenges facing the agriculture sector in Guyana and the region. Pointing out that local agriculture contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of the country and is also a major employer; he said that when the issue came up he had requested the portfolio for agriculture in Caricom. Jagdeo noted that there is a regional agriculture plan which had been accepted by governments and said that as the topic of agriculture has been elevated on the agenda of the Caricom Heads of Government, Ministers of Agriculture from the grouping had met and soon there will be an investment conference.
In addressing the issue of markets, the President contended that while there are lots of markets, these were supported by huge subsidies in the developed world in particular Europe and the United States. He charged that during the negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), it was stressed that they were to make trade World Trade Organization (WTO)-compatible but “I don’t see any tremendous effort on the US and Europe to be WTO compatible in the subsidies sector”. He added that “we have to struggle over the next several years to dismantle these subsidies”.Additionally, Jagdeo said, climate change represents possibly one of the biggest challenges to developing countries because of their limited ability to adapt or mitigate.
Noting the weather patterns experienced locally, he said there were many sleepless nights during the rainy season and he personally received reports of water levels during these times. He noted that at the farmers’ level, their fears were magnified and “every night in the rainy season you worry about these things”. He declared that the changes seen were brought about by (climate) change and the “irresponsible policies taking place elsewhere”. He warned that Guyana’s budget will not allow the country to meet the challenges of climate change.
Another challenge, he said, is the changing inputs market with among others, fuel prices rising. He noted that consequently the cost of production goes higher.
Jagdeo advocated “machine pools” where farmers could access machinery. “Ownership of a combine or tractor is not vital for you to be a farmer”, he said noting that services can be bought. He said that the government was prepared to come up with a project to see how this can be done.
Commending the RPA for developing and issuing the magazine the President said that some farmers don’t take advantage of facilities and services being offered because they don’t know about them, but the publication will ensure that they know of them.
Meantime, General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Jagnarine Singh appealed to the private sector to support the publication with advertisements to make it self-sustaining while Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited, Yesu Persaud called for more companies to be involved in packaging noting that packaged rice would bring in more foreign exchange.
Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud pointed out that “the rice industry at this time is enjoying some good days” while global consumption is exceeding production. He said that last year the highest amount of rice was exported since 1997 and earnings of close to US$76M were garnered. He emphasized that there is a growing demand for rice and revealed that this year more acreage will be brought into cultivation.
Rice farmer, Jevannauth Adhin told Stabroek News that the magazine would be useful and “at least you gon get a lot of experience and so” adding that it would serve to refresh minds. Harrichand Dhanraj said that while he had not read the publication as yet he believes it will serve to upgrade farming.
