Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud charged a batch of 124 students who graduated with diplomas and certificates from the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to capitalise on the opportunities in the sector to boost development.
In delivering his address on Thursday, the minister underscored the importance of agriculture to national development to the students who completed two years of training in animal health, veterinary public health, forestry and fisheries. He said government invests over $300M annually at the GSA with a “trickle down investment of $1M per student annually” to ensure the future of a competitive agriculture sector, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA).
Persaud told the students that they have graduated at a time when several sub-sectors within the industry are being expanded and changes that have already started will bring a more substantial and improved life for all citizens. He noted too that over the years government has been creating new opportunities for farmers, expanding and diversifying the sector in order to bring about benefits that would lead to a very globally competitive and agri industrial sector that is export oriented.
He urged the graduates to be cognizant of changes taking place in the agricultural sector and “not only because you have graduated and some of you will be part of overall machinery that will be managing and facilitating the growth of agriculture, but we also want you to be leading players within the sector, we want you to be entrepreneur and leaders.” The minister said every trained citizen must be involved in all aspects of development in order to realise the country’s potential.
“I want you to embrace this project because …it belongs to you and the future generation of this country…we have made many mistakes as a country and we have had generations here in Guyana that have failed us and our country and, while we have done a lot of work to repair and reconstruct we need you to take control and move forward into the future,” Persaud said.
According to GINA, the minister then outlined several interventions government has made along the coast saying that “we have nearly fully utilized our existing potentials, we are looking at developing lands for agricultural purposes in hinterland regions… where we possess some of the richest soil types.” He also challenged the management of the GSA to train more persons from the hinterland regions in order to meet needs there and cut the cost of having to dispatch skilled persons from the coast to far-flung areas.
In addition, CEO of the Roraima Group of Com-panies, Captain Gerry Gouveia told the graduates that they cannot develop to the level they want unless they assume the right attitude. “Always give your best at what you do, always go beyond the call of duty and most of all love the people around you,” he said.
