Agriculture Supplement 27 10 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

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Lindeners rise to the occasion

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

--As gov’t takes inaugural coconut festival to region 10

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE township of Linden held its first ever coconut festival two Mondays ago at the Linden-Georgetown Bus

Park on Republic Avenue, much to the delight of residents who turned out in their numbers to see what all the excitement was about.

And, of course, they

were not to be disappointed, as, thanks to the Region 10 Tourism Development Association, in collaboration with the Region 10 Farmers Association, they were treat-

Festival Ambassador and Miss Guyana Universe, Ms Soyini Fraser at Monica’s Fabric Designs booth

At the formal opening ceremony coconut can allow for us to ed to a wealth of information prior to declaring the event establish industries which on the benefits to be derived open, said that the biggest will provide job opportunifrom the use, both internally challenge he foresees in the ties for us Lindeners... As and externally, of this humble development of a coconut Lindeners, let us welcome but delightful non-traditional industry is in the packaging any initiative; let us adapt; fruit. and branding of products. let us welcome any change Speaking of the many “I think they need guidthat awaits us, and work to ways in which the coconut ance, as when you finish develop this industry.” can help improve Linden’s making the coconut oil, you Similar sentiments were fortunes, Mayor Carwyn need to get guidance as to exexpressed by Regional ChairHolland said: citing packaging, so that perman, Mr Renis Morian, who, “The by-products of the Turn to Page 4A

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

THE SIMPLE LIFE OF A FISHERMAN

By Neil Primus THE wind picks up and grows into an angry whistling mass. The sea responds with heavy swells that would make seasoned seamen shiver.

The small boat creaks, shudders then convulses in resistance to the enormous pressure of the water. The waves swat the boat anywhere it wants to.

erman who braves the dangerous waters in order to provide for his family. Some succeed; many have died trying.

FAMILY TRADITION John Madramootoo is a 58-yearold great-grandfather who knows nothing else but the sea. His love for fishing was passed down to him

“I learned everything from my father,” John said. “Now I own two boats: A 20-footer and a 26-footer. The latter is under minor repairs.

“I have had to slow down myself because of injury. I slipped and fell, hitting my back on an anchor; this causes me constant pain, and restricts my trips to sea. But I never give up; I am still working in the fishing trade.

A STRONG MAN

Making a new net

Life, at times like this, seems somewhat like walking on a knife’s edge. The slightest wrong move or panic could result in tragedy.

This sounds like a good introduction to Moby Dick or Adventures at Sea. But this is only the simple life of a Guyanese fish-

by his father. His dad owned four boats, and at an early age, he was already going out onto the rough waters of the mighty Atlantic.

By his early teens, he was allowed to captain each vessel in turn. School suffered as a result, but such was the life of a fisherman’s son.

“My father was a very strong man. At age 85, he would grab a paddle and go for a ‘walk’, paddling to friends along the bank of the river. He refused to use an engine on these outings.

“When he was not in a boat, he could be seen bursting wood for the fireside. He swung a mean axe.

“Dad hated ‘iced fish’; he only used fresh fish: Fresh from the sea, straight into the pot, and down empty bellies.

“Mom would make her famous ‘Fish Pot’.

It comprised of fish, provisions, duff, on-

At the formal opening ceremony

ions, garlic, black pepper, butter and a few other ingredients I don’t recall now.

“When you ate this brew, you could feel the power coursing through your body. None of us ever had to be running to the doctor. Neither did dad. Good food and fresh sea breeze worked wonders for us.”

HARD WORK Work at sea is not always successful; there are times when the catch is very small, and you lose on the trip.

At other times, the haul is great, and you make up for that loss.

Then there is the added risk of damaging your equipment. Garbage in the sea is a serious health risk as well as an environmental hazard.

It’s also a fisherman’s nightmare.

At high tide, the powerful sea moves tons of garbage around.

These sometimes become entangled in your hooks or net, and cause expensive damages.

Take the case of

Preparing the lines

a simple rice or flour bag: These are a terror to small fishermen; they collect mud and sand, and become dead weight. They then get entangled in your lines or nets.

Many times, the nets are badly damaged and the lines lost. One line can hold 2000 hooks.

Whenever a line gets caught in the propeller, it results in engine failure and damage; a serious problem when you are at sea in a small craft.

BAD WEATHER Weather changes at sea are very challenging times for small fishermen. The small boats roll, toss and pitch like matchboxes. Despite this, you still have to fish. Working a ‘sixhour drag’ means that every six hours, you must work your nets.

Sometimes the boat dips dangerously in bad weather, causing one to have water way above one’s head.

Some souls have been lost at sea. Once, a

wooden craft was hit by a humongous wave with such force that it ripped the vessel’s ice box off.

Not yet done, the wave then smashed the cabin like matchsticks and proceeded to tear the craft to pieces. Luckily for the hapless crew, a trawler was nearby and came to their rescue.

Thankfully, no one went down that day.

In situations where waves are over 20 feet high, small vessels are often in serious peril. If the craft is not properly built and maintained, it could end in catastrophe. Another danger to small boats are large, ocean-going ships.

These are put on auto-pilot at night. Sometimes the crew of small fishing boats are resting after a tiring day’s work.

Bang! Their craft is so small that it is not seen in the dark. Add rough seas to that equation, and what you have is a recipe for disaster.

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Lindeners rise to...

sons will be attracted to these things,” he said. He also encouraged coconut farmers

to keep abreast of what is happening on the market so as to be able to benefit from

Rastaman had the pointer-broom business ‘lock’

maximum profits.

A NEW FRONTEIR

President of the Region 10 Farmers Association, Ms Tracy Johnson posited that should the coconut industry in Region 10 take off, it will create a new frontier for agriculture, which in turn will see an increase in productivity and employment in the farming sector.

Another spin-off, she said, will be the networking of the beverage, condiments and craft industries, which in itself will be a big boost.

Director of Tourism, Mr Donald Sinclair was most impressed by the huge turnout, particularly the number of farmers, chefs and craftsmen and women who took the time to participate in the event.

“There certainly is the energy here to display what are the uses of the coconut,” Sinclair said, adding: “Amazing also is the

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

number of women who are involved in the coconut industry in Linden. What we saw is extremely expressive.”

FOOD GALORE

The exhibition saw a variety of foods on display, especially desserts that were made from the coconut, and are unique to Linden.

Denise’s Institute of Catering had on display several snacks, such as Coconut Mix, Coconut Caramel Slice, Sugar Cake, Coconut Tart, Coconut Yeast Ring, Coconut Shake, Coconut Fudge and Coconut Wafer.

The product that was, however, most sought after was the Virgin Coconut Oil which was being offered by several farmers and organisations such as the Guyana Marketing Association.

Many patrons rushed for this by-product of the coconut that can be used for

grooming the skin and hair, and for consumption purposes as well.

Coconut farmer, Owen DeSouza had both the virgin and processed varieties on exhibition, but was more keen on explaining how beneficial the former is, though its a bit more expensive.

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL To make the 100% Virgin Coconut Oil, De Souza said, one needs to wash and grate the coconut, before setting it in a clean metal container, and leaving it for about 18 hours, then creaming off the fat that rises to the top. The oil is then extracted with a syringe, strained and bottled. The regular oil, on the other hand, is fried, then boiled but that process kills off the vitamins.

DeSouza is calling for the materialising of a local coconut industry, as it would help create employment.

“We should plant coco-

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nut at the Mabura/Rockstone junction, because it has the suitable soil; we have the creeks there, and it is more accessible to the interior. And the Brazilians that pass there will be allowed to purchase,” he reasoned.

Other exhibits included coconut craft products such as mats, ornaments and jewellery. There were also the traditional pointer broom and coconut flour.

Monica’s Fabric Designs had on display cotton clothing that were designed with the shell of the coconut and the pointer. Designer Monica Higgins said that her clothing have been receiving local attention, and is pleased with the support received from Lindeners.

The Linden School of Excellence walked away with the winning prize for the food exhibition, while the Watooka Day School copped first place in the composition competition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

Demand outstrips supply --Sends Caribbean coconut industry into tailspin

AT the worst possible time, the Caribbean is running short of one of its most emblematic products.

stitute (CARDI).

‘TOO EARLY’ In Nagua, on the

In his warehouse, he picks through a pile of the fruit, holding each one close to his ear and shaking it to

medical warnings that tropical oils could raise levels of artery-clogging cholesterol.

Coconuts sold for

Ri-Ri slaking her thirst on coconut water

Rich-world consumers have never been keener on the coconut. Starbucks wants the tropical fruit’s milk for lattes, Rihanna promotes its water as a trendy sports drink, and the price of coconut oil has jumped more than 50 per cent in the past year.

The Caribbean is practically synonymous with the coconut, so its farmers should be cashing in. But for a bunch of reasons, they aren’t. Storms, droughts and the Lethal Yellowing disease, spread by plant-hopping insects, have wiped out entire farms; growers have failed to invest in new trees, or fertilizers to improve yields. Caribbean plantations have shrunk by about 17 per cent since 1994, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

“It’s fair to say that at this pace, the Caribbean is running out of coconuts,” said Compton Paul, coordinator of a regional coconut programme at the Trinidad-based Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development In-

Dominican Republic’s north coast, where Dioni Siri has his own trees, and also buys from other farmers, production has

see if it contains milk.

When there’s no sound, the coconut is dumped on a growing pile of discards. “It was picked too ear-

dropped by about 60 per cent in two decades, according to the local association of growers. Siri, who sells to export markets, says that quantity isn’t the only issue: Many

ly,” Siri says. “It’s not good enough. Our biggest problem is that the farmers aren’t growing enough quality coconuts.”

It’s a problem that nobody saw coming.

‘

next to nothing in the Caribbean, where they’ve grown for five centuries since being introduced by Europeans travelling from the

There’s only one solution: Start planting more coconuts’ –Melvin Bautista, Dominican Republic farmer Indian Ocean. Often, they were just left to rot on their trees.

To d a y, c o c o n u t milk is being sold as a healthier alternative to cow’s milk, and it’s a staple of recipes in the paleo-friendly cookbooks adored by the CrossFit crowd. Even the fruit’s husks turn out to be useful, filling car-seat cushions.

CELEBRITY INVESTORS

Dominican Republic farmer, Dioni Siri

of the nuts that do get harvested aren’t up to scratch.

Two decades ago, international demand was waning amid

A n d m o s t sought-after of all is the coconut’s water, rich in potassium and other electrolytes. It’s on track to become a $4 billion industry by 2019, according to Technavio, a research company.

All Market Inc., the industry pioneer which began selling leading brand Vita

Coco in 2004, now cracks about 1.6 million nuts a day, and can claim Rihanna and actor Matthew McConaughey among its celebrity investors.

The company estimates that the U.S. market alone is already worth $1.2 billion, according to spokesman Arthur Gallego.

“We’re focused on developing new products around the coconut,” he said. “We want to be to the coconut what Dole is to the pineapple.”

Wi t h b u y e r s s o eager, Vilma Da Silva and her husband gave up growing other cash crops on their 35acre farm in Guyana’s Pomeroon region five years ago, and started focusing on coconuts-for-water exports.

They buy coconuts from about 60 other small farms, bottle the water and export it, receiving about $1.50 per liter. It’s been lucrative; revenue has doubled since they made the switch, but they’re running into supply constraints.

“We want to get into more international markets and export more, but there aren’t enough farms to buy from,” Da Silva said.

Other countries are stepping in to meet demand. Worldwide, farmers have increased the amount of land planted with coconuts by 14 per cent since 1994, according to the UN. Indonesia, the Philippines and India are the top producers.

‘START PLANTING’ Meanwhile, with export-oriented Caribbean farmers like Siri and Da Silva buying up all the fruit they can, locals risk losing out.

Typically, green co-

conuts for water have been so plentiful and cheap that any thirsty islander might buy one on the street corner, from a machete-wielding salesman who’d lop off the top and insert a straw. They still do; but prices are rising, while grocery shelves are filling up with thinned-out or even fake versions.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Health Ministry in May confiscated bottles labelled as coconut water from stores, saying they contained only water and chemicals.

It’s not the first time a developing-country staple has been caught up in a First-World food trend. Farmers that grow the finest coffees often can’t afford a bag of their roasted beans. And when protein-rich quinoa caught fire in the U.S., many consumers in Bolivia, one of the biggest producers, were priced out.

Melvin Bautista owns Coco Express del Caribe, one of the leading domestic coconut-water brands in the Dominican Republic.

He says he can barely obtain the supplies he needs, as farmers sell to exporters instead, and has raised prices for a 16-ounce bottle by 20 per cent this year, to about $1.50.

Local farms are mostly “in very bad shape, and the trees are very old.”

There’s only one solution, Bautista says: “Start planting more coconuts.”(Bloomberg)

Keyhole gardening

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

--ALL THE RAGE THESE DAYS IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS

LESOTHO’S vast highland plains are spectacular places for tourists.

Broad and treeless, they offer stunning views of the mountains looming over shimmering gold grasslands.

But they are terrible for farmers.

Decades of intensive agriculture have stripped the land of trees, and exposed soils to wind and rain.

Erosion has created countless miniature canyons that split the plains everywhere you look.

The already thin mountain soils have lost virtually all their productive nutrients.

According to the Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Efraim Lehata, a typical farmer in Lesotho’s maize belt would be lucky to squeeze half a tonne of grain from

each acre of land.

They should be able to produce more than 14 times that.

GLOBAL FORCES The minister bemoans the fact that his country, which used to do well out of farm exports to neighbouring South Africa, now depends on food handouts from organisations like the World Food Programme.

He admits that a lot of the blame rests with the country itself. But with a population of about two million, tiny Lesotho is barely the size of Belgium.

The forces now shaping global food prices are way beyond its control.

“The last summer season, most of our tractors couldn’t go to the fields because of the cost of diesel. Now that the

A Lesotho woman shows off her bountiful harvest from one of her several keyhole gardens

price has doubled, we’re not expecting any to be

able to go,” Mr Lehata said. “It is very difficult.”

In many respects, Lesotho is a microcosm of the problems facing so many parts of the developing world.

The mountain kingdom in southern Africa sits on a plateau mostly above 1,800 metres altitude, so the growing season is short, and its vulnerability to climate change is acute.

With the country struggling with one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates, many of its able-bodied workers have either died or been crippled by disease.

And in what is one of the poorest states in Africa, even the slightest increase in the cost of food or commodities hits painfully hard.

KEYHOLE GARDENS But Lesotho cannot wait for the FAO and similar organisations to come up with ideas, so it has developed some of its own.

Mahaha Mphou does not know much about global economics, but she does know how to grow vegetables.

She and the rest of

her family of 10 have become some of the most enthusiastic evangelists for a home-grown idea that has almost certainly saved them from starvation.

They are now thriving on what have become known as “keyhole gardens”. They are round gardens of about two metres in diameter, and raised to waist-height to make them easy for the sick and elderly to work.

Inside, the garden-beds are layered with tin cans, mulch and ash, which, together, provide the nutrients to make the gardens extraordinarily productive.

Ntsie Tlali from CARE, the non-governmental organisation behind the gardens, believes they are revolutionary.

“As you can see, Mahaha’s family has three keyhole gardens, and that’s more than enough to supply all 10 of them with all the vegetables they need, and with some left over to sell.

It’s changed their lives.”

Because they are protected by the stonework, the rich soils are safe from erosion.

They retain moisture

far more effectively than land farmed by traditional farming methods, and they are compact enough to turn the tiniest plot of land into productive agriculture.

‘FOOD IS LIFE’ Mahaha says they have also transformed the family’s diet: “We’re growing so many things; from beetroot to spinach, onions, tomatoes, carrots. Everything!”

Mr Lehata acknowledged that the gardens alone will not transform Lesotho, “but we’ve been really surprised by just how well they’ve worked,” he said.

“We expected them to disappear after half a season, but you can see that although we have such cold winters, they are productive all year round. It’s been really helpful to our people.”

Even so, the one thing the minister wants from the international community is urgent action on the cost of basic farm supplies like fuel, seed and fertiliser.

“Food is life,” he said. “If we can’t afford that, we’re finished.”

(BBC)

Still going strong

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

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--after 50 years in the business

IT IS said that the practice of agriculture began about 10,000 years ago.

pursuits.

Today, the challenges involve not only production it-

as mechanization and new techniques of production.

Fertilizer use be-

to have introduced n e w e r, s a f e r a n d more effective products to the market.

Given the vast variety and complexities of global climates, it is difficult to generalise when discussing weather-related risks.

The impacts of a given weather event differ according to the specific agricultural system, variable water balances, type of soil and crop, and availability of other risk-management tools (such as irrigation).

A farmer tending to his crops

Since then, the story of agriculture has been a story of continuously pressing the frontiers of production.

The increasing e ff i c i e n c y o f p r o duction of food and other materials is what made possible the progress that has occurred over the centuries, as more people were freed from food production to engage other

self, but production that can be sustained, as we begin to appreciate that the earth has only so much land suitable for agriculture.

Caribbean Chemicals began operations 50 years ago, at the height of the ‘green revolution’, that period of time in which new high-yielding varieties of crops were introduced, as well

came widespread, and new pesticides became available to protect crops from pests and diseases.

T h i s y e a r, C a ribbean Chemicals (Guyana) celebrates 25 years of operating in Guyana. At that time, concerns had shifted to the use of safer, yet more effective technologies.

We are proud to have been part of this movement, and

As we look to the future, we are excited at the prospect of exploring the frontiers of safe and effective production as we continue to serve the farming community in Guyana.

Additionally, the negative impacts of weather events can be aggravated by poor infrastructure (such as poor drainage) and mismanagement.

From a weather risk management standpoint, there are two main types of risk to consider. These relate to: 1: Sudden unforeseen events (for example windstorms of heavy rain); and 2: Cumulative events that occur over an extended period (for example, drought).

The impacts that either of these types of risk have vary widely according to crop type and variety and timing of occurrences.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

Taking it one day at a time --How Mahaica Creek farmers are coping with the vagaries of climate change

By Alva Solomon MAHAICA farmer, Rajesh Bissoondyal pointed to two long plots of land under bora cultivation, each measuring two acres in length.

knows. And now that his daughter is preparing to enter medical school, he will be tilling the land for a long time to come.

But according to the dedicated farmer, his family’s well-being is

phenomenon which illustrates the adverse effects changing weather patterns can have globally, which calls for proactive planning.

Last Sunday when the Guyana Chronicle paid the area a visit, the

Mahaica farmer, Rajesh Bissoondyal inspecting his bora plants last weekend

Nearby, his family of four was busy parcelling bora they’d picked all morning; 15 strands of the vegetable were being loving placed into parcels and secured with a rubber band. They were being prepared for those vendors who would travel into the area during the afternoons and purchase “greens” from the farmers.

Rajesh said he hadn’t slept a wink the night before; for him, this was an almost everyday occurrence, since farming is all he

a priority for him, so while climatic conditions impact the farming area annually, he will continue to plant his crops.

CHANGING WEATHER

Several years ago, the area was pounded by flood waters, and farmers suffered extensive losses as their crops folded under the rising water levels.

These days, however, Mahaica Creek farmers are experiencing long spells of dry weather, a

A typical farmstead along the Mahaica Creek

situation on the ground was almost similar to what obtained back in January, when the cash-crop-rich farming communities were starved of fresh water.

The only difference this time around, however, was that while the sun was scorching hot, water was readily available, thanks to the intermittent rains and the high water level of the Mahaica Creek.

The road to the farming areas stretches along the banks of the creek; but according to our boatman, a guy named Ravi, some farmers still prefer to move their produce by boat whenever the ‘greens van’ arrives.

Taking their cue, the Guyana Chronicle used a boat to get to where we were going, using Ravi as our guide.

On our arrival at GrassHook, where Rajesh lives, he was preparing to harvest a half-acre plot of the long bed of bora which lay before him.

For him, weather

conditions have become annoyingly unpredictable over the past decade.

“One time it raining; and then time like now, is plenty sun,” he said. The rains have not been steady at the Mahaica Creek over the past three months, but according to the farmers, the conditions these days have not reached the severity level of typical El Niño dry weather conditions which obtained between August 2015 and June/July this year.

Deochand Ramcharitar, who resides at Big Biaboo, also on the Mahaica Creek, plants cash crops in addition to his long lines of plantain stalks. He plants all year long he said, and according to him, while the weather conditions are dry at

Bissoondyal’s wife and children parcelling bora for sale

ara Water Conservancy (EDWC) whenever the levels at the water holding area rose to critical levels.

“We almost used to know we faith when that used to happen,” Ramcharitar said, meaning that the farmers immediately knew that their crops would face destruction.

But since the con-

seems to be a thing of the past for farmers at Mahaica Creek. At least for now.

“Well, the weather dry now,” Ramcharitar said. “De crop nah ah grow as they supposed to grow, but we have water.” Regarding the changing weather patterns, he said he’s grown accustomed to it by now, and knows just

Plantain trees lining the edges of the Mahaica Creek. Farmers in the area were affected by the Black Sigatoka disease in the past, but improved agricultural practices have seen a reduction in the incidence of the infestation

the moment, he has learnt to adapt.

“Since the Hope Canal, we don’t get dem kinda water we used to get; that one is the main thing them do,” he said, in obvious reference to those in authority.

struction of the Northern Relief Channel, and subsequently the Hope Canal, flooding

how to cope with it.

“For El Niño, we gotta try manage over it; that ah God

MAHAICA CREEK In the past, one of the major problems faced by farmers along the Mahaica Creek arose as a result of the flood waters which were thrown into the creek from the East Demer-

In addition to ‘greens’, some farmers along the Mahaica Creek cultivate fruits such as oranges, coconuts and carambola (Photos by Alva Solomon) Turn to Page 13A

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

Gov’t reaches out to Leguan, Wakenaam --where agriculture is big business

AS part of Government’s quest to diversify its agricultural production, Agriculture Minister, Mr Noel Holder back in August spearheaded an outreach exercise to the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam in Region Three.

Persaud.

The exercise forms part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s mandate to better serve its farmers by adequately addressing some of the ills affecting their mode of production, and by promoting the cultivation and produc-

The subject Minister was at the time addressing scores of rice, cattle, coconut and cash-crop farmers in Leguan where he again called for not only togetherness, but for farmers to work collectively to push for the sector to further advance.

Minister Holder and members of his team speaking to a farmer during the outreach

He was accompanied on the trip by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr George Jervis; Head of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Mr Nigel Cumberbatch; General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Ms. Ida Sealey-Adams; Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Board, Mr John Piggott; Head of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr. Oudho Homenauth; Mr Gary Baird of the Legal and Inspection Unit of the Fisheries Department; and NDIA Senior Engineer, Mr Rudolph

tion of non-traditional crops.

Guyana’s effort to expand and diversify the agriculture sector is a policy direction that has gained the attention and support of the government.

“The government’s thrust for development in the agricultural sector over the next five years is hinged on the drive to diversify and expand production in non-traditional activities,” Minister Holder said, adding: “Our focus is centered not only on improving the drainage system and rationalising production on the coast, but also in developing these new areas of activity.”

“This pursuit by the government to modernise the agricultural diversification thrust in our country has already begun to produce favourable results,” the Minister said.

THRIVING BUSINESS Dabie Singh, who runs a thriving farm on Leguan, took the minister and his entourage on a tour of his homestead where he is currently minding ducks, turkeys, sheep and hassar.

“We are running a successful model farm here; people sometimes hear about Leguan and think that we are small disorganised farmers, but, indeed, we have

A flock of sheep at one of the homesteads

come a far way and we intend to continue to boost our production with the help of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority,” Dabie said.

GLDA extension officers have been working tirelessly to ensure that farmers receive the necessary technical advice, so they can engage in proper animal husbandry.

The farmer, in order to further diversify his

Poultry at the Singhs’ farm

from the administration to boost their efforts to diversify the sector by exploring new and modern technology.

MODERN HATCHERY

At Wakenaam, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Gordon, retirees, currently run a modern duck hatchery, which supplies the island as well as the coast with duck meat and eggs.

“We started very

hood by expanding the dairy industry.

A team from GLDA is scheduled to commence work with farmers and other key stakeholders shortly to look at ways in which the government can boost the cattle industry in the islands.

“We have huge potential on this island; we just have to tap into it.

Working together, we can further develop the cattle industry,” Cumber-

One of the duck hatcheries owned by the Gordons at Wakenaam

business, recently joined NAREI in its quest for large-scale coconut production. Coconut water and copra are at present in high demand on the export market, and farmers are now positioning themselves to tap into this lucrative industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture has maintained its commitment to ensuring that export continues to thrive, and as such stakeholders in the agricultural sector continue to receive assistance

small and, as you can see, we have expanded where we supply the coast also…. Anyone can benefit from such means of production; you just have to want to succeed,” Mrs. Gordon said.

GLDA’s Mr Cumberbatch has committed to having an Artificial Insemination programme implemented on the island.

The farmers lauded the move by the ministry in ensuring they can safeguard their liveli-

batch said.

The government has recognised the potential for other crops, livestock and aquaculture in the development of the country, and as such has been channelling a substantial amount of resources to provide the necessary infrastructural, technical assistance and training to equip farmers with the necessary skills to explore, and venture into, new opportunities in the agricultural sector.

In for the long haul

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

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--Talking food security with NAREI’s Dr Oudho Homenauth

By Alva Solomon ENSURING food security in a changing climatic environment has been the major thrust of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Institute (NAREI).

At the same time, the institute has developed and promoted systems to adapt to, as well as mitigate against, climate change, the body’s head Dr Oudho Homenauth told the Guyana Chronicle Monday.

With the theme for agriculture month this year being “Exploring new frontiers in pursuit of climatic resilience”, Dr Homenauth said NAREI has not only adopted several measures of dealing with the issue at hand, but is also promoting new methods of combatting climate change.

“We are fairly well prepared,” he said.

“Adapting to climate change has been a major thrust of our activities for the past few years. Thus, we will continue in the foreseeable future.”

One of the interventions that have been made nationally is the establishment of a mangrove management cum restoration programme, which has been able to reduce overtopping and prevent salt water intrusion on farmlands.

Among others are encouraging farmers to switch things up a bit by planting on raised

sororo and St Ignatius to ensure that planting materials are not lost,” he said, is another in-

“Farmers are utilising shaded cultivation as well as micro irrigation systems,” he

Over the years, flooding and dry weather conditions have effectively damp-

Schoolchildren tending to crops in a shade-house environment

beds during the rainy season, and the development and promotion of shade-house cultivation combined with efficient water management systems.

NEW VENTURES In terms of new ventures, he listed as being among them the introduction of weather-compatible varieties of cassava for cultivation during the dry season, and the use of both artificial and natural mulches in the farming process.

“The development of germ plasm banks at Kairuni, Ebini, Ho-

tervention piloted by NAREI in the cultivation of crops nationwide.

A germ plasm bank is a collection of live plant matter, in the form of seeds and spores. Its general mission is to locate, collect and conserve plants considered to be of priority importance to our society.

Dr Homenauth said, too, that NAREI has been ensuring the development and promotion of solar drying technology to extend shelf life, while hydroponics for home use is also another farming method being pushed by the agency.

Dr Oudho Homenauth (right) and FAO Representative in Guyana, Mr. Reuben Robertson at the launch here last year of a cassava development project

noted as other methods employed by farmers.

ened farming practices across the farming belt.

“The farming community is well aware of the effects of climate change after the floods experienced, as well from the effects of El Nino,” Dr Homenauth said, adding: “There needs to be more emphasis placed on drainage and irrigation as well as water harvesting.”

He said that a major constraint for many farmers is the acquisition costs for materials to be used.

According to Dr Homenauth, water harvesting, marketing, value addition, packaging and labelling as well as more emphasis placed on efficient extension services as the key areas which are being examined to cater for the future of the agriculture sector, a key driver of the economy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

GRDB: Preserving the rice industry --with sustained research and development

RESEARCH has, over the decades, sustained and developed the rice sector in Guyana. Innovative research conducted by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has seen rice yields moving from 1.7 tonnes per hectare in the 1960s to over 5 tonnes per hectare in 2016.

The GRDB conducts research in four disciplines, namely: Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Entomology and Plant Pathology. These disciplines have seen the release of over five new varieties of rice, among them the aromatic strain, for commercial cultivation purposes all across the country.

The Board is currently conducting research on a number of other varieties, which are expected to be released in the near future.

One such variety will be able to withstand saline conditions. There are cur-

rently 120 breeding lines of this variety. Trials are being done at the GRDB Rice Research Station at Burma, Mahaicony, and at Black Bush Polder.

When this variety is released for commercial cultivation, there will be a boost in production within the rice sector, as rice farmers will be able to cultivate on thousands of acres of land that are salt- tolerant, which was never done before.

able weather conditions.

Blast can cause severe yield losses of up to 100% in a crop.

Among other forms of research that will help safeguard the rice industry for generations to come are in the areas of disease identification; disease severity; laboratory culture and diagnosis of rice diseases; population dynamics of arthropods in the rice ecosystem; and management strategies for snails affecting rice production.

HIGH-END RICE The Board is also working on releasing several other aromatic varieties.

Aromatic rice is a high-end commodity in great demand on international markets, and carries a favourable price.

The first aromatic variety (GRDB 13) is currently under cultivation in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The second crop for 2016, where over 3,000 acres were sown, it will record the highest production of aromatic rice in Guyana.

Trials for other aromatic

varieties are being done at the Burma Research Station.

Research is also being done in the area of Blast

resistance. Rice blast is consider to be the most important disease in rice cultivation, because of its widespread distribution and destruction under favour-

While the GRDB will continue to passionately conduct research on the production of rice to sustain and evolve the industry, it must be noted that it takes years of research to release one variety for commercial cultivation, but once that variety is released, it has an exceptional effect on the rice sector in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

Taking it one day...

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From Page 9A

wuk,” he said with a smile.

He sources water via a canal which runs at the back of the farmlands, he said.

Roopnarine Gangaram, the Handsome Tree farmer who complained about the lack of water during this publication’s visit in January, was in a much better frame of mind when we spoke last weekend.

Following the dry El Niño-like weather conditions, there was a period of rainfall, which he noted assisted his crops greatly. But in recent weeks, the dry conditions have taken a severe toll on some aspects of the farmlands; even though water is available. “De plant dem, yuh gat to really water them,” he said, adding that he currently has several

Shelter Belt location in Georgetown, is often the benchmark for critical consumption and use of water.

In recent weeks, high temperatures have been experienced across the coastland, with dry weather conditions occurring almost daily.

Ducks enjoying the tranquility of the Mahaica Creek

beds of peppers, corolla and bora under cultivation. The plants are almost a month old.

He had dug a reservoir near his farm, which collects rain water; he utilises the water from the reservoir for his crops.

A MARKED DROP

Carilla plants, almost seven weeks old at Roopnarine Gangaram’s farm at Handsome Tree

For the month of September, the temperature stood at 35 Degrees Celsius, almost 70 per cent of that of the previous month.

However, several forecast models have indicated that the dry spell may change in the weeks ahead.

The El Nino dry weather conditions

earlier in 2016 resulted in a marked drop in the water level in various parts of the country.

Rainfall figures indicated at the time that the weather pattern changed significantly around July-August last year.

The EDWC, which stores water to irrigate farmlands on the East Coast and water for Guyana Water Inc’s

Peppers and bora being off-loaded by several farmers near this canal. The produce was later sold to a vendor who buys from the farmers and resells at markets in the city

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

GMC to address freight issues

--to help exporters do more THE Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) is serious about creating a more enabling environment to truly encourage and expand the exportation of agricultural commodities.

In this regard, discussions are ongoing at various levels with air and sea freight cargo providers to address the issue of limited cargo space and choice, says General Manager, Ms Ida Sealey-Adams.

“Discussions are also currently being held in collaboration with a team from the CARICOM Secretariat and cargo service providers,” Sealy-Adams said, adding: “As a result of several meetings that

were facilitated by the GMC and the officials of air cargo providers, exporters to the United States and Canada are now utilising additional cargo providers to export their agricultural commodities.”

For the remainder of 2016 and during 2017, she said, “The Corporation will continue to lobby for additional air and sea freight cargo providers for exporters.”

NOTABLE INCREASES

With regards to non-traditional agricultural exports for the period, she said, there were notable increases in the export of mangoes to Canada, papaws and water-

melons to Barbados, pumpkins to Barbados and Antigua, and eddoes to Barbados and

Suriname.

In terms of agro-processed products, there has been

an increase in the exportation of coconut water to Trinidad and heart of palm to France

(Please see table below).

See Page 15A

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

GMC to address...

From Page 14A

trative regions of the country.

To date, there are currently seven such corners located in Regions Two, Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). An eighth is slated to be located in Region

GMC General Manager, Ms Ida Sealey-Adams

The most significant increase recorded for the period under review, Sealy-Adams said, was that of the export of papaws, followed by the export of watermelons and pumpkins. Eddoes also showed a 66% increase in 2016, compared to the corresponding period last year.

There has also been an increase in the number of agro-processors who are bottling coco nut water in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

PROJECTIONS Market studies, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions will be pursued in 2017, to create additional markets for both fresh and agro-processed agricultural commodities.

The Corporation will have ongoing discussions with officials from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) regarding the processing of Export Brokerage documents. In this regard, the Corporation will continue to engage the management of the Guyana Revenue Authority to seek expediency in the processing of documents.

The Corporation will also press for-

ward to expand the agro-processing industry in Guyana.

At the level of the ministry or through collaboration with international agencies, the Corporation will be seeking technical assistance through the service of a specialist to assist agro-processors in their product development.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL), efforts are being made to have a consultant stationed in Guyana for at least nine months to work with local agro-processors and the GMC. This by no means will be the only technical assistance that will be sought to aid in the development of products, Sealy-Adams said, as plans are moving apace to recommence the processing of fresh produce.

GUYANA SHOPS ]In terms of the ongoing expansion of Guyana Shop corners, she said this will continue through collaboration with private proprietors of retail shops and hotels in all of the adminis-

10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) before the end of the year.

Sealey-Adams said the Corporation will continue to build on the services that are currently being offered stakeholders, among them farmers, agro-processors, exporters and other market-oriented inter-

mediaries. “We will continue to consistently build effective and responsive partnerships with players along the value and supply chain of the non-traditional agricultural commodities,” she said, adding that the theme for Agriculture Month 2016, “Exploring new pro-

duction frontiers in pursuance of climate resilience” couldn’t come at a better time, since the Corporation has plans to increase the availability of its service to all of the regions, with the help of both local and international agencies.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016