Dear Editor,
The editorial of Stabroek News on November 14, captioned, ‘The dubious Grow More Food campaign,’ was clearly written by an uninformed person who has sought to do nothing but misrepresent the actual progress being made within the agricultural sector. With the general and regional elections of Guyana slated for November 28, 2011, one would hope that such an editorial is not politically motivated.
More specifically, the editorial focuses much more on government projects and programmes that are not agriculturally related, but attempts to report on the developmental works undertaken by the current Government of Guyana such as the One Laptop Per Family programme, the fibre optic cable and the Amaila Falls projects.
Further, the SN editorial seeks to attack Minister Robert Persaud personally and professionally in his capacity as Minister of Agriculture by alluding to the fact that the PPP/C has been in government for 19 years. Perhaps, these remarks are a result of the pivotal role that Mr Persaud is playing in the development of the agricultural sector in Guyana.
It would be envisaged that at such a crucial juncture the SN would not try to distort the facts by attempting to paint a bad picture of the Ministry of Agriculture‘s Grow More Food Campaign in an attempt to support any political motive. However, the evidence is clear and the reality speaks for itself, and readers are fully knowledgeable about the programme and its successful outcome. As such, please allow me to highlight below the true mechanisms of the Ministry of Agriculture as they relate to the Grow More Food Campaign. It should be noted that SN did not publish the information below which was sent to them by the Ministry of Agriculture a week before the aforementioned editorial appeared in their publication.
Key Initiatives to Reduce the Effects of Rising Global Food Prices from 2008 – 2011
Grow More Food Campaign
To combat the effects of the global increases in food prices.
To ensure that Guyanese have adequate food available for themselves and for export.
Achievements:
First Phase-: Focus on ensuring Guyana’s food security, especially during the period of rising fuel prices which has led to rising food prices.
Launched under a ‘market-led’ approach in March 2008
Consisted of a five-step plan which included, apart from the READ and ADP projects, increased investment in drainage and irrigation, enhanced extension services (Regional Coordinators, extension agents, formation of NAREI) and increased availability of seed and planting materials and other farming inputs, tools, etc
The GMC engaged in providing VAT-free consumer items
Countrywide consultations to address the global food crisis and food prices Consultations addressed measures to combat increasing cost of living (to increase income), improve land distribution and infrastructure, increase private investment in rural areas and increase investment in agriculture and introduction of farmers’ market days
Approval of all outstanding viable food production investment projects
Distribution of 600,000 packets of seeds and 150,000 units of planting materials
Acoushi ants-control chemicals and bait and other support for hinterland communities conducted
Improved land utilization project
Tilling of farmers land in arable areas of low production
Essequibo Agricultural Land Development Project (over 500 10-acre plots made available for farmers to cultivate virgin lands)
Aurora Land Development Project – over 5000 acres to be brought into cultivation
Second Phase-: Focus on catering for the challenges and support to all farmers, agro-processors and exporters resulting from the Global Food Crisis and High Food Prices.
Launched in August 2011 at the Square of the Revolution
Farmers and farmers groups benefited from fertilizers, seeds, planting materials, livestock (pigs, chickens, rice bran, etc)
In excess of 10,000 bags of fertilizers distributed to rice farmers
Distribution conducted throughout all farming communities countrywide
Emphasis also placed on vulnerable hinterland, riverain and rural communities
Continuous technical and extension services support nationwide being conducted
2. Various developmental projects, in collaboration with international agencies, targeted towards increasing Guyana’s agricultural growth potential.
Agricultural Export Diversification Programme
Aimed at establishing services and institutions for a sustainable increase in the income derived from the export of non-traditional agricultural exports in aquaculture, fruits and vegetables and livestock subsectors
Enhancing the protection of domestic consumers from illness and domestic production from disease and contamination
Exports increased by 32.4% (from 7,116mt in 2008 to 9,423mt in 2009)
Exports of agro-processing amounts to US$3.4M in 2009
Agriculture Support Services Project (ASSP)
Targeting Drainage and Irrigation, farmer education, delegation of authority to Water Users Association and construction of seed facilities in rice
Rural Enterprise and Development Project (READ)
Aimed at strengthening intermediary service providers, institutions whose services add value to production and marketing systems and improve rural welfare
Logistical Support to potential Investors
Through the New GMC, providing potential investors by facilitating and coordinating their visits to farming communities across the country, and by providing related information on the non-traditional agricultural sector
Interventions in Agro-processing
Agro-processing such as coconut water bottling plant proposal, the development of flours and juices and the provision of training to farmers to assist them in the production of higher value added products
Educational campaign
Collaboration with the school system and the Guyana School of Agriculture to raise awareness and educate students of agricultural aspects. The new GMC has produced supportive promotional material at a cost of $7M
Continued Dialogue
With private sector, civil society, trade unions and other associations to listen to their recommendations and ensure that the Grow More Food Campaign is given impetus and support by all stakeholders
3. Climate-Smart Agriculture
To deal with the effects of the changing weather patterns. Food security and climate change issues are addressed together by transforming agriculture and adopting practices that are “climate-smart”. A number of production systems are already being used by farmers and food producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, and reduce vulnerability to ensure that local agricultural outputs are available to all sections of the local population.
4. Resulting from the Grow More Food Campaign are:
Increased infrastructure (drainage and irrigation, labs, access roads)
Renewed focus on extension services
Introduction of relevant technologies
More access to financing, especially for small farmers
Through the Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST), approx 335 agricultural projects valued to about $21.633M were implemented during the period 2007-2010
New jobs created through these agriculture projects for the period 2007/2010 amounted to about 2,004
A more comprehensive agriculture diversification and export strategy
5. Tabling of three pieces of agricultural legislation to facilitate agricultural production and export diversification
Plant Health Bill
Animal Health Bill
Seed Bill
6. Launching of the Guyana Food and Nutrition Security Strategy
This is aimed at improving the health and well-being of all persons living in Guyana through enhanced food and nutrition security.
In developing and implementing policies and programmes to achieve this overall goal, measures and actions will be taken that will impact the entire population, but the primary concern will be with those sections of the population that live in poverty and are considered particularly vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity.
7. Other Agricultural Initiatives in response to rising food prices include:
Promotion and availability of more local products on the local markets
Improving the production and productivity of the four P’s (plantain, pumpkin, pepper and pineapple)
The acquisition/importation of improved varieties that meet market demands
New varieties of cassava would be acquired and distributed to farmers
Intensification of hinterland programme cassava mills etc
Further, utilizing integrated farming in coconut growing regions to improve productivity will be done, whilst examining the prospects of producing value-added coconut products such as virgin coconut oil, coconut milk powder and desiccated coconut
Other efforts to ensure that food production continues in an effective manner include continuing to expand spice cultivation, primarily in hinterland communities, the provision of adequate and timely extension and crop protection services to farmers to increase production and productivity
Facilitating the acquisition of equipment, embryos and breeding animals for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and ensuring that farmers are kept abreast of the appropriate and relevant technology to maximize production
Short term interventions limited to the micro level such as targeted consumer subsidies and safety net programmes, or even those which are counterproductive, such as export restrictions which compound uncertainty and undermine the negative role that trade may play during these prime periods
Removal of the Extension Service from the jurisdiction of the Crops and Livestock Department and the creation of a separate unit called the Crop Development Support Services (CDSS) under NARI to foster the much needed link between research and extension
The assignment of Regional Coordinators
The development of an operational mechanism to enhance the linkage between research and extension in the field
Strengthening the rural organizations (Region 10 Farmers Association etc) structure, support, networks, relationships, attitudes, and values that govern interactions among members and contribute to economic and social development
Provision of scholarships for students to attend the Guyana School of Agriculture.
Execution of over 140 technical sessions for farmers and schools in agronomy and livestock management
Training for farmers in agrochemical management and the management of pests and diseases
Transfer of improved technologies such as drip irrigation and shade-houses to farming communities
Farmers trained in various aspects of crop and livestock production as well as agro-processing and nursery management.
▪ Rice and bean project in Region 9 to improve hinterland food security – over 82 acres of land already cultivated
Spice cultivation also as part of hinterland food security
8. On-going Government Response to Cushion Rising Global Food Prices, these include:
Providing approximately $200M to cushion the effect of increased flour and bread prices
8% increase in wages and salaries for public servants
Temporary cost of living adjustment of $4,000 per month to government employees earning a basic salary of $50,000 and below
Financial support to GPL and GWI to offset increase in fuel and other agricultural inputs cost
Reduction on excise on gasoline to reduce impact of increases on world market
Strict monitoring of exports of rice to ensure adequate supply for local market and ‘Rice Price Buster’ to cushion the effects of the increased cost for rice
The launch of the flour price relief trucks across the country to make affordable flour in limited quantities available in vulnerable communities.
Government Food Assistance Programme
Farmers’ Assistance Programme
Parika Packaging Facility
El Nino intervention
Improving the cold-chain for non-tradition products
Participation in regional (Caricom) efforts to cushion rising cost of food and inputs on international market acceleration
The overarching goal of the Ministry of Agriculture has been to ensure that the most vulnerable people and communities are not denied access to nutritious food. The answer to food price volatility is not to prosecute or block markets, but to use them better.
By empowering the poor, the Ministry has taken practical steps towards ensuring the availability of nutritious food.
In order to tackle the root causes of hunger, the Ministry of Agriculture is continuously facilitating greater investment in agriculture, expanding safety nets and social assistance programmes, and enhancing income-generating activities for the rural and urban poor. The Ministry’s policy commitment will play an important role in maintaining a viable agriculture economy in the face of climate change and other external factors that impact on the growth and development of our local economy.
Yours faithfully,
J McKenzie
Ministry of Agriculture
