With the focus on the realisation of increased production and profitability in selected agricultural sub-sectors, the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer to Farmer Programme, is currently harnessing technical assistance from United States volunteers to support farmers, farm groups, agribusiness and agriculture sector institutions in Guyana with the goal of “promoting sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing,” according to information released by the Farmer To Farmer coordinating group in Guyana.
Guyana is one of five beneficiary countries in the hemisphere from the current round of Farmer To Farmer support, the other four being Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Jamaica. The initiative leverages the expertise of volunteers from farms in the United States, universities, cooperatives, private agribusinesses and non-profit farm organisations. US volunteers for the Farmer to Farmer programme are customarily individuals who have had noteworthy careers in farming and agribusinesses.
Information provided by the local Farmer to Farmer secretariat indicates that the overall objective of the Guyana programme is “to increase the productivity and profitability of selected agricultural sub-sectors.” In Guyana, the Farmer to Farmer Programme will work in the non-traditional crops and livestock sub-sectors.
The specific objectives of the support being provided in the non-traditional crops sub-sector include increasing the production of high-value non-traditional crops through the realisation of improved product quality; increasing the organisational and management capabilities of participating producers and producer groups, increasing income for small and medium-sized producers and businesses, expanding sales of fresh and high value non-traditional crops on the local market and laying the foundation for future participation in high-end domestic and export markets.
The specific objectives of training in the livestock sector, meanwhile are to develop systems for the traceability and certification of livestock products; ensure the safe trade in meat and meat products within Guyana and beyond and provide assistance to the wider local veterinary community in developing and refreshing techniques in animal care and management.
The Farmer to Farmer programme works to enhance inclusive growth in the agricultural sector, to facilitate private sector engagement in the sector, enhance development of local capacity and promote climate-smart development in agriculture. Volunteer assignments customarily address host-led priorities to expand economic growth, increase incomes and improve access to nutritious foods,
The training component of the programme has been extended to the Guyana Marketing Corporation and so far 15 members of staff have benefitted from training in Value Training Analysis while ten have received training in Business Accounting. In addition, 75 agro-processors from Regions Two, Four, Six, and Ten, have also been trained in Business Accounting.
Information emanating from the project indicates that beneficiaries of the training will be equipped with the necessary manual and electronic templates to allow for the inputting of data to allow for the more efficient management of their operations.
Other training exercises scheduled for execution in 2019 under the programme include capacity building for GMC staff in areas that include labelling and packaging to enable compliance with international market standards, and the application of appropriate label design software. The GMC staff will also benefit from expert recommendations on packaging, including biodegradable packaging for fresh vegetables, fruit and value-added products.
During the months of November and December, small farmers from Regions Two, Four, Six and Ten will benefit from training in contracts and agreements of sale.
