Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud has encouraged Region Seven farmers to expand their agricultural capacity in order to boost the livelihood of the communities.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release Persaud delivered this charge during a visit in honour of agriculture month. The minister noted that these communities had been focused on other commercial activities like mining and while mining resources would soon be depleted agriculture would provide “regeneration and regrowth” in these areas.
Residents voiced concerns about the destruction of crops by acoushi ants, animals, lack of finances, transportation, payment of royalties, the unavailability of land for agriculture and the lack of proper equipment and tools. In response, Persaud said the ‘Grow more’ campaign encompassed expansion and persons can capitalize on the opportunities provided by this sector while using new techniques and technology to enhance their agricultural practices. He said too his ministry is focused on the extension services that are provided since there would be more information coming from these communities as trained personnel have been added to improve this sector.
Two agriculture officials have since been assigned to Region Seven. He said 50 persons who studied agriculture in Cuba would be aiding the sector in providing services and students from these very communities would be trained. The minister also encouraged farmers to take advantage of the agro packaging facility which would assist in marketing their produce.
“Integration is important” he said while highlighting the importance of farmers’ groups in fostering better partnership with the ministry. As regard the lack of financial resources he said international entities may be willing to provide funding for these groups. However, he cautioned that the global financial crisis could create a “domino effect” on communities like this and in terms of lumber, companies are complaining about a decrease in logging exports.
In order to control the acoushi ants, Persaud said his ministry is embarking on a programme to fog the entire area. He also advised farmers to establish their own nurseries which would be managed independently.
Residents said they were also concerned about royalties but Persaud said that the new Amerindian Act provided for the village council in each community to determine those figures and his ministry was not in a position to become involved with this issue.
The minister also told farmers about aqua farming as the ministry is in the process of diversifying and would readily review the layout of the area before embarking on such an initiative. These checks would be carried out on the soil to decide what type of fish could be bred there, he said.
According to GINA seeds, plant materials and literature were distributed to farmers and residents. The release said too Persaud was accompanied by Region Seven Chairman Holbert Knights, NARI Director Dr Oudho Homenauth, Hinterland Coordinator John Woolford and Projects/Research Officer at the ministry Aditya Persaud. The team visited River View, Agatash, Dogg Point, Batavia, Kartabo and Kartau.
