Agri school must make research integral part of curriculum – minister

Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy urged the board and faculty of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to make research an integral part of its curriculum, in his address at the 48th convocation exercise last week where 111 students graduated.

In his keynote address at the ceremony, Ramsammy said there was need for more investments and upgrades at the institution and agriculture school at the University of Guyana to advance the sector. “Both need more investments, further curriculum development and upgrading,” the minister noted.

Leslie Ramsammy

According to Ramsammy, government would need to start “taking a good look at our facilities” to ensure that “places like GSA and the University of Guyana play a pivotal role in the introduction of technology to the students for agriculture development.” Further, he noted that the GSA must make research an integral part of its curriculum as “a strong research focus at GSA will ensure that the institution graduates better students, who are better prepared for the agricultural challenges of tomorrow.” The minister posited that the GSA’s board and faculty can work with the ministry to make this a reality.

GINA said the GSA was established in 1963 to develop and promote agriculture through technological advancement and the theoretical and practical training of young people has allowed thousands of students to be certified in agriculture.