The Government of Guyana recently signed four technical co-operation agreements with the Brazilian authorities which are aimed at boosting agricultural development.
According to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), on a recent visit to Brazil, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud finalized the agreements which are based on upland rice production, corn production, aquaculture and forestry.
The cultivation of rice in the hinterland areas of Guyana is being catered for in the upland rice production project as the release noted that it is costly to import rice to those areas from the coastland. There are also avenues which can be explored within the rice market as well as the use of byproducts of rice, such as feed, being utilized in the Rupununi area and neighbouring towns in Brazil, the release noted.
As regards corn production, the Agriculture Ministry noted that the savannah lands are suitable for the cultivation of corn and in this regard, the introduction of ameliorated corn varieties will be explored with a rice/soya bean rotation, GINA stated. In addition to human consumption the release also noted that corn can also be utilized as feed for livestock in the savannah areas, since it can aid in the development of poultry, small ruminants and swine.
The aquaculture project will cater for promoting the development of ‘non-traditional’ agriculture sub-sectors, expanding the agricultural base in the process and reducing the effects of the global economic crisis. GINA also noted that Guyana’s natural resources were recently recognized as having a viable aquaculture potential and were highlighted for attracting domestic and foreign investment which would enable its development.
As it relates to forestry management, monitoring of forest resources and the reduction of illegal logging with the use of satellite technology will be boosted through the provision of training and technical expertise by the Brazilian government, the release noted.
GINA also stated that the Ministry of Agriculture anticipates the areas of cooperation will further enhance the use of technology towards the development of those industries.
The areas of cooperation were selected based on market trends which indicated an increasing demand for corn, soya and aquaculture commodities, mainly in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Discussions on the area of investment are expected to be explored further when a high level team from neighbouring Brazil visits Guyana, the release stated.
