Dear Editor,
Let me say at the outset that it must not be business as usual in any section of the agricultural sector. Neither should we move from one extreme to the other and strive to mimic the developed world with their vast acreages of mono cultures and genetically modified crops. This would make the agricultural sector even more heavily dependent on extra-territorial inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc). We must also acknowledge that the sugar industry was developed and structured to benefit shareholders in foreign lands and not for the benefit of the colonies. The sugar industry is still very much a part of the economic scaffolding of the European metropolis. We need to adopt strategies that would not only insulate and protect us from the adverse consequences of policies that are the outcomes of decisions made in foreign boardrooms, but will also help us to become both self-reliant and self-sufficient in agriculture development.
Developers of the agriculture sector must experiment with a variety of development models that emphasize diversification, integration, biological controls (including crop rotation), and value-added products. Research and Development (R&D) must permeate the national psyche.
There are several factors that have to be taken into consideration when planning for future development in the agriculture sector. Some of these are: 1) climate change and the increasing threat to the low coastland; 2) the possible effect of the upcoming oil industry on manpower resources; 3) the stated intention of the Guyana government to capture a significant portion of the 4.5 billion regional food import market; 4) zoning – certain crops that depend on insect pollination will have to be located in areas that will not be affected by the chemicals that are used in spraying or dusting other crops. The experience has been the decimation of the bee population in certain areas as a result of aerial spraying in the sugar industry. This has seriously affected the production of honey and yields from other crops that are insect-pollinated. There are other economic and social factors that will need to be addressed.
An experimental model organized as a cooperative and integrated farm based on aqua culture, coconuts, rice, sugar, and livestock industries is proposed. It may not be the ideal combination, but other crops can be substituted, or added. The five industries are chosen for three reasons: 1) their potential for growing the economy and contribution to national development; 2) little new capital investment is required; and, 3) ‘wastes’ from one industry can be used as inputs into others. Brief comments on each industry follow.
Experiments in aquaculture have taken place in Guyana for more than 60 years. Tilapia farms were located at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, and at the back of the Botanical Gardens (when it was the Botanical Gardens). I am unsure as to the present situation. However, since the coastland is below sea level it should not be too difficult to establish a series of fish farms in areas along the coast near selected sugar estates, or rice cultivations. This is an all-season industry and there are several categories of workers that can be employed in the development of this industry. When fish is harvested and processed, the ‘waste’ can be further processed into a component of stock feed, or fertilizer. It may be possible that fish farms can be used as sweet water reservoirs during the rainy season. This water can be used to irrigate rice fields when the occasion demands.
Rice is one of the world’s staple foods. Yet its potential as a source of value-added products remains vastly unrealized in Guyana. It has been known for some decades that the most expensive bread in certain parts of Europe is made from a mixture of rice and wheat flours. Rice oil which is extracted from the rice bran when rice has been processed is of premium value in the canning of fish, and in the production of margarine. The rice bran from which the oil has been expressed, relatively speaking, now has a higher protein content, and can be used in breakfast cereals, or stock feeds (may be even as feed for fish). But, Guyana is still exporting paddy! This industry has been a victim of inbreeding. There is hardly an influx of new ideas. In all probability there are other value-added products that can be developed. All of these ventures have the potential to grow the economy and increase employment opportunities.
The entire sugar industry will have to be reconfigured. Production costs make Guyana’s sugar uncompetitive on the world market. For the past few years the industry has been heavily subsidized by workers in other sectors. According to the recently concluded CoI the absentee rate is high.
A new industrial strategy must be developed to attain the reduction in production costs by the adoption of less costly, but appropriate technologies, and the generation of more value-added products. For example, could crop rotation lessen dependence on imported chemicals? This would also reduce: a) the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals; b) the amount of chemical run-off that pollutes the waterways and general environment. Alfalfa (Lucerne) could be planted among cane ratoons. It overpowers weeds, enriches the soil with nitrates, and can be used as forage for sheep. Sheep will keep the alfalfa low and will not destroy the cane cultivation. In due course the ratoons would benefit from sheep manure. Wastes from the processing of sugar cane can be combined with other wastes and used to provide some of the energy requirements of the enterprise, and the neighbouring communities. Bagasse may even be used for soil improvement. Income can also be derived from the sale of sheep.
In a Low Carbon Development context it would be advisable to have an extensive system of waterways to service the enterprise. The cost of maintaining small barges and waterways should be much cheaper than building roads, fuelling and maintaining machines that have to bear tremendous loads. Many of these waterways already exist. Coconuts could be planted along the edges of waterways to reduce soil erosion. The variety of products that can be had from the coconut palm is well known. The possibilities are limitless. At least 100 different products are produced from the coconut palm in the Philippines.
Finally, if Guyana is serious about agriculture development, then there ought to be located in close proximity of each other a critical mass of mind power to focus on issues in agriculture development. Would a more integrated arrangement involving such disparate agencies as: GuySuCo, GSA, IAST, Narei, and the Faculty of Agriculture, UG, serve agriculture development in Guyana better?
Yours faithfully
Clarence O Perry
