Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_18_05_2022

wednesday 18th may, 2022

Agriculture, energy, national security take spotlight No.106726

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–– during discussions between President Ali, Prime Minister Rowley

Toolsie Persaud ‘pumps’ US$3.5M into new timber operation 03 PAGE

–– company says project will inject approximately US$600,000 per year into the Kartabo Triangle

Farmers: $1B 02 Construction, 14 in free fertiliser sale of ‘condos’ a ‘big relief’ to be regularised PAGE

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Former national swimmer graduates from prestigious PAGE

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water institute

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

$1B in free fertiliser a ‘big relief’, say farmers

FARMERS in Region Two have commended President, Dr Irfaan Ali on his recent announcement to make available over $1 Billion worth of fertilisers to farmers across Guyana. Both cash crop and rice farmers have applauded the President’s initiative and deemed it “a big relief”.

President Ali, on Monday, had announced that the government will be purchasing and distributing, free of cost, $1 billion in fertilisers to farmers all across Guyana as a means of absorbing the rising global costs for the commodity and to prevent the costs from being passed on to consumers at the market.

The $1 billion will be drawn from the $5 billion the government had set

Essequibo Rice Farmers Development Committee VicePresident, Tabindra Ramcharran

aside in the 2022 national budget to implement measures to ease the cost of living for citizens, which

is caused by the external economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between

Russia and Ukraine. The announcement was one of four measures that were announced by President Ali on Monday in a video message aired on his official Facebook page.

President of the recently-formed Essequibo Rice Farmers Development Committee (ERFDC), Deoram Prahalad, praised the move by the government as helpful.

Recently, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo met with rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast to listen to their concerns and suggestions to address them. During the meeting held at the Anna Regina Multilateral School, the farmers raised a number of issues affecting them such as the high cost of input, even though the government, since coming into power, has removed VAT on those items.

The farmers also provided a number of solutions, some medium-tolong-term to lower operation cost and increase their income. Among the solutions was the dredging of an area in the Essequi-

bo River to enable them to directly ship their rice and paddy from the Essequibo Coast. That they believed would minimise the cost they currently pay for shipment and enable them to earn more for their produce.

EASE THE BURDEN ERFDC Vice-Presid e n t , Ta b i n d r a R a m charran, said the intervention announced by President Ali will ease the burden of many farmers.

He noted that once a farmer does not have to pay for fertiliser, then more will be saved. Representing other rice farmers, Ramcharran said the offer had come at an opportune time because rice farmers in Region Two will be sowing in two weeks.

“Some rice farmers already started but some will start sowing in two weeks so I am hoping that the fertiliser reaches them before so that they can save; once the operating cost is less then rice farmers will be able to get more from the crop and be able to provide for their families,” he said.

Sancharee Narayan, a cash crop farmer from Golden Fleece, is hoping that the fertiliser trickles down to small farmers.

Narayan cultivates a plot of land at Zorg. She said the community has a lot of cash crop farmers who are excited, having heard the President’s announcement.

In the Pomeroon River, Gladis Williams from Jacklow Lower Pomeroon said that the initiative was “a good one” and the farmers in Pomeroon were waiting on their turn to receive the fertiliser.

“The flooding has affected many of our crops, some of us are going back to cultivation and some of us are still recovering from the loss; we are thankful for every effort made by the government to assist Pomeroon farmers,” Williams related.

Farmers in the region are anticipating the rollout of the distribution of fertiliser as soon as possible as many of them are currently sowing and heading back into production after being affected by floods.

Farmers at a recent meeting held at the Regional State House, Anna Regina

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Toolsie Persaud ‘pumps’ US$3.5M into new timber operation

— company says project will inject approximately US$600,000 per year into the Kartabo Triangle

By Navendra Seoraj TOOLSIE Persaud Timber Traders Incorporated (TPTTI), a renowned pioneer in the development of Guyana’s timber sector, plans to expand its operations with a new project in the Kartabo Triangle, Region Seven.

The project, which has been in the works for a few years, is now being re-

nearby communities.

The company has invested about US$1.5 million on exploratory operations and another US$2 million to conduct management level inventory, develop a road network, organise the concession area into compartments and blocks and conduct 100 per cent forest inventories at the southern end of the concession area.

“TPTTI will harvest

logs from the concession area which will be transported some 106km to Iteballi, then trans-shipped via barge to coastal locations.

No sawmilling (or any other form of wood processing) is contemplated within the concession area. Timber harvesting will be guided by all applicable legislation, Codes of Practice and GFC guidelines,” the company related in an Environmental

and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) submitted to the EPA. Based on the company’s projections, it will harvest an area of 900 hectares per annum for a projected annual yield of 17,031.42m3.

The concession area, as it is now, will be accessed via the Iteballi-Puruni Road, then through the Old Granny Road to the left bank Mara-Mara River.

According to TPTTI, the potential operations will add to the vibrant economy within the Kartabo Triangle.

This area has an estimated population of about 4,000 persons of which 90 per cent are employed in the logging and mining sectors.

The two communities that are critical for development of enterprises in the area are Iteballi (400 persons) and Puruni Landing

said.

The company prides itself as one which places significant emphasis on protection of the environment through its safe and efficient timber harvesting practices.

Healthy forests, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), support sustainable agriculture because, among other things, these ecosystems

(300 persons).

“TPTTI’s projections are that it will inject U$600,000 per year directly into the economy of the Kartabo Triangle…. and TPTTI will also support preventative maintenance of the Iteballi-Puruni Road,” TPTTI related.

The company, over the years, has contributed to the national economy by employing around 2,000 persons and it remains in the forefront of exporting Guyana’s well-known tropical hardwoods.

“It maintains its dominant position through significant and ongoing investments in modern plant and equipment and training of relevant personnel, technical expertise and time-tested customer relations,” TPTTI

stabilise soils and climate, regulate water flows, and provide shelter and habitat to pollinators and natural predators of agricultural pests.

Forests generate almost one-third of the income of rural families in developing countries, either through monetary income or through satisfying subsistence needs.

In Guyana, output in the forestry sector expanded by 11.3 per cent last year, reflecting higher demand from construction activities.

This favourable performance was mainly on account of a 27.3 per cent increase in logs of other species along with a 27.0 per cent increase in greenheart logs.

Typical economic activities in the Kartabo-Puruni District

viewed by the Environmental Project Agency (EPA).

Approval from the EPA will pave the way for the company to acquire State Forest Authorisation (SFA) from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

Prior to this stage of the process, the company had acquired a State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP), to explore the potential that exists across 66,873 hectares of State forests situated in the general Kartabo Triangle.

The SFEP, according to the company, allows it inter alia, to access the area and to determine the feasibility of conducting logging operations there, subject to the interest of other stakeholders, including public agencies, other loggers and

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday may 18, 2022

Enhanced regulatory system imminent for nursing professionals –– as House passes new Nurses and Midwives Bill

By Shamar Meusa

THE Nurses and Midwives Bill 2022 was on Tuesday passed in the National Assembly, officially paving the way for the creation of an enhanced regulatory system for nurses, midwives and nursing assistants in Guyana.

The bill, which was first tabled back in April, makes way for persons to be registered and licensed before they could practise nursing, mid-

wifery and specialist nursing in Guyana.

The passage of the bill also sets out the application process for licensing and also indicates that it could be refused, revoked or suspended.

When the bill was presented for its second and final reading on Tuesday, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., told the House that the former administration after being defeated by a no-confidence motion went to the Na-

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tional Assembly on January of 2019, debated and passed the Nurses and Midwives Act of 2019.

This, Nandlall said, was done in the absence of the then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) opposition.

In view of this, the Attorney General said the 2019 Act should be deemed null and void, and it is against this background that a repeal is necessary.

He said: “That law is in-

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valid, it is null, it is void and it is of absolutely no effect and that is why Mr. Speaker, we are here today with this bill… we have to put a repeal clause in it for the record because the current defective bill purports to be on its face, a law of Guyana and a court has not pronounced upon it, notwithstanding the fact that it is null, void and of no effect.”

The new bill, the Attorney General said, provides a necessary infrastructure for nurses and midwives.

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Government Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, said that the bill is a comprehensive one which caters for the establishment of a Nurses and Midwives Council.

In addition to this, he said considering that the profession is a fast-paced one, the bill caters for the continuous medical education of nurses in the country.

Dr Mahadeo went on to say that the bill is necessary and will see the nursing pro-

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Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. fession in the country moving forward.

There will also be the formation of a five-member disciplinary committee, which will handle complaints of professional misconduct against nursing personnel, among other things.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Agriculture, energy, national security take spotlight — during discussions between President Ali, Prime Minister Rowley

The President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali along with high-level government officials in discussion with Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley and his team of senior officials at State House, on Tuesday (Office of the President photo)

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley inspecting the guard of Honour upon his arrival to Guyana on Tuesday (Office of the Prime Minister photo)

THE President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley, have pledged to deepen ties between the two nations.

Dr. Rowley arrived in Guyana on Tuesday, ahead of the Agri- Investment Forum and Expo, which is set to commence tomorrow.

The Prime Minister visited State House, where he met with Dr. Ali and a team of high-level officials, including several ministers of government.

According to information from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the two leaders engaged in broad, extensive bilateral talks and pledged to deepen ties between the two countries.

The discussions, as outlined on Dr. Rowley’s official Facebook page, focused specifically on agriculture, energy and national security.

A Memorandum of Understanding covering those key areas is being finalised.

Broader discussions on enhanced co-operation among CARICOM nations are expected to take place during the Agri- Investment

Forum and Expo.

The forum is geared towards the promotion, engagement, and informed dialogue among key stakeholders along the agri-food value chain.

It will bring together policymakers, development partners, foreign and local private investors, farmers and distributers to determine how investment could be encouraged so as to reduce the regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Growing Agricultural Technology

AGRICULTURE is intertwined with the fabric of the Guyanese people. It is part of the very history and foundation of nation and nationhood. Since his ascent to office, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led government has repeatedly championed agricultural growth and food security at home and abroad.

The President, in his inaugural address to the 12th Parliament early last year, listed “Support to agriculture that will see mega investments in large-scale agriculture” as one of the transformative infrastructural projects for the country which, he admitted, will take years to complete, but will be started.

Learning from the lessons of neighbouring oiland-gas countries, Guyana continuously boasts of preserving “non-oil” sectors; recognising the limited quantity of the oil resource; acknowledging the value of the other sectors in preserving Guyana’s economic strength and getting the “diversification” dilemma right from the inception.

Guyana re-securing the agriculture portfolio in the

CARICOM quasi-cabinet under President Ali after it slipped through the cracks under Mr Granger’s presidency solidifies that the sector is here to stay and food security will be high on the agenda of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government for Guyana and the Caribbean.

Feeding the world is becoming more of a challenge as the global population continues to soar.

With that increase comes the question of whether the current methods of growing can sustain the impending increased demand. More resilient agricultural methodologies are also needed as the world continues to brace against the disastrous effects of climate change, felt even more devastatingly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). What’s ironic is the role of food production and industrialisation in worsening global temperatures. It’s undeniable that we must innovate to survive.

“Agritech is the use of technology and technological innovation to improve the efficiency and output

of agricultural processes.

In other words, it is the application of technology to improve all elements of the farming and growing processes.

“Applications of agritech are far-ranging and encompass several different types of agricultural and technological innovations.

However, the aim of all these agritech technologies is the same -- an attempt to grow more food in less space and/or with fewer inputs,” Pinduoduo Inc., a China-based agricultural technology platform said.

There are limitations to the application of innovative technologies and much of that has to do with the demographic of those already involved in the agricultural sector. In a feature, the World Food Programme reports: “The success of any agricultural technology ultimately rests on the rate of adoption among farmers, in particular, small-holder growers.

Five of every six farms in the world are smaller than two hectares (the size of about three soccer fields) and collectively they produce a third of the world’s food. In the case of China,

small-holder farmers account for as high as 80% of food production. Many of these small-holder farmers are older and received less formal education, making it more difficult for them to adopt technology without support. The availability and accessibility of internet infrastructure is also a potential barrier in some countries.”

Agriculture Minister Mustapha has used international platforms to ground the need for increased innovation and bridging the digital divide in rural places. “I commend IICA [Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture] for this initiative, which underscores what must be done in order to develop the digital skills of rural populations, so that technologies and innovations can be adopted and used effectively. We hope that the findings and recommendations arising from the report will help guide decision-making and policy generation in Latin America and the Caribbean in the medium and short terms” Mustapha said at a Costa Rica-based conference in March last year.

“The different ministries of the region must engage in discussions on digital issues in order to identify agrotechnology areas that can provide training for farmers. We also need to consider subsidies and tax reductions for farmers in order to guarantee their access to these tools. Our government will make efforts to this end by ensuring not only low-cost technologies for primary processing in rural areas, but also by providing training to farmers, while acknowledging the gender divide”, Mustapha championed.

President Ali has sought to increase the involvement of young people in agriculture through pioneering the “Youth Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship programme.” We reported on the initiative, which has seen a number of shade houses constructed recently, that: “Through the Youth Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship programme, the government constructed shade houses and invested in hydroponics and vertical agriculture to produce high-valued [sic] crops

such as broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.

“This simple yet significant project has the potential to empower young people to earn millions of dollars from the crops being produced. The crops were identified based on the country’s consumption pattern and economic indicators, which signal high demand for the crops.”

None of this exists in isolation from the upcoming Agri-Investment Forum and Expo this week, a nod to the Caribbean’s vision of achieving a 25 per cent reduction to the food-import bill by 2025. Guyana remains a champion for regional food security, reducing the region’s food-import bill, which stood at over US$10 Billion in 2020, and agricultural viability in a world where food supply-chain disruptions bear heavily on the pockets of households.

There’s no doubt that the blend between agriculture and technology will be explored this week.

Receipts for retail transactions no longer require stamps — following passage of Tax Amendment Act REVENUE stamps required to be placed on retail transaction receipts will soon be a thing of the past, as Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh on Tuesday successfully piloted the Tax Amendment Act, Bill Number Nine of 2022 in the National Assembly.

The amendment to the Act removes the requirement to charge stamp duties on receipts issued for retail transactions.

The first reading of the Bill took place on April 13, and the second reading and

passage by the National Assembly was done on Tuesday.

This measure that is being implemented forms part of the wide range of relief measures which the government has implemented since its assumption of office on August 2, 2020.

Among measures introduced so far by this administration is the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on water, household necessities, and educational and medical supplies.

Further, measures implemented to increase disposable income included the distribution of $7.5 billion worth

of COVID-19 cash grants, while $7.8 billion in flood relief was also distributed to persons most affected by the 2021 floods.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday announced four additional relief measures, which include a one-off $25,000 cash grant to every household in riverine and hinterland communities; a $1 billion purchase of fertilizer to be distributed free of cost to farmers; the potential establishment of a home-construction facility, and the removal of VAT from sheetrock and concrete board to aid in the country’s housing and

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh

construction drive.

Meanwhile, the VAT amendment of Schedule One, Order 2022-No. 9 of 2022, was also circulated to members of the National Assem-

bly, thereby allowing for the removal of VAT from cement which was announced by Dr. Singh.

The recent removal of VAT from this commodity

was also to allow for an ease in hardship to home owners, and those in the construction industry, all in line with the government’s housing and construction policy.

Additionally, Dr. Singh notified the National Assembly (through Government Notice No. 1 of 2022) of the receipt of all petroleum revenues paid into the National Resource Fund (NRF) for the period January 1 to March 31, 2022.

The provision of this information to the National Assembly is in keeping with the requirements of the NRF Act 2021, which came into operation on January1, 2022.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Education must meet new workforce needs

Dear Editor,

I APPLAUD the government for its focus on education. Large amounts of resources have been devoted to educating a modern workforce to meet demands, especially in the emerging energy sector.

Unlike during the period of the dictatorship, this government is not engaged in propaganda that is passed off as education, but is serious about real, meaningful education that provides practical training for workplace demands.

Professor Munniram Budhu in another paper praises the effort towards an education policy, especially as it relates to foreign language requirement. Foreign languages should be in the mix of training for a

modern-day professional workforce. Students should decide which foreign language (s) to learn.

Like Prof. Budhu, I know ‘a lil thing’ about education, having been an educator for over 40 years teaching in the natural and social sciences and mathematics.

Education must be geared to provide opportunities to the new generation for development opportunities for their own needs, as well as for the national purpose.

As a sovereign nation, it is high time that we have our own independent education policy – not propagandistic information for political purposes as Burnham did post-independence under his de-colonisation mantra -- but meaningful education that would not

turn away the population from education as under Burnhamism. We need a new education policy geared towards promoting growth and development. We should not continue to follow a traditional education policy handed down by erstwhile masters or those who sought dominance of the society, using propaganda for self or the interests of one segment of the nation. Education must be inclusive and must serve the interest of all – well rounded in academia, culture, language and religion, as it is has been in the US, India and elsewhere.

In New York schools, students have freedom to learn the home or cultural language of their nationalities or parents.

Guyanese, especially the native peoples, should

also be given similar freedom.

We should not train Guyanese for a workforce in the metropolis as has happened since the 1980s, with some 90 per cent of our post-secondary graduates migrating to work abroad. Training should be geared towards domestic needs.

Having studied in In-

dia and spent a considerable amount of time there, I suggest that our government take a look at its education policy.

Ghana also has a good education policy. Guyana, like India and Ghana, and so many other countries, inherited a system of education created by our colonial masters to serve their own

imperial interests. Sadly, when Burnham created an education system, it was to serve his authoritarian and supporters’ interests. India established an education system to serve their own development objectives – Prime Minister Nehru did not engage in propaContinued on page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Education must meet...

From page 7

ganda after assuming the reins of power. Nehru and succeeding leaders created IITs, IIMs, science institutes and medical schools, etc., to meet India’s development needs, having been previously exploited for centuries by European and Moghul invaders. Indian university grads have been among the best educated and trained in the world, so much so that westerners (plus Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand) have been recruiting graduates by the millions from India’s elite universities to man businesses, universities, firms, research institutes, and investment agencies. Students rejected from top Indian universities are gobbled up by American Ivy League universities such as Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton and other leading universities in the world with scholarships.

Like India, Guyana must have an education policy to train youths to meet our needs. Students must be inculcated with

skills that encourage a sense of questioning and reasoning. We need skilled workers for factories, oil and gas, the Public Service and for our planned industrial phase of industrialisation (Wales Industrial Complex) as envisioned

by Vice-President Jagdeo, and professionals to manage our new economic ventures such as gas to shore, hydro project, energy projects, hotels, tourism sector, agro-industries, forestry, etc. We need computer programmers, analysts, forensic experts, cyber-security specialists, and several other experts for the current information technology era. We must provide vocational and other training that provide opportunities for jobs.

We do need a language policy. As we expand economically, with business people and diplomats coming from all over the globe, there will be a demand for translators. Students must be encouraged to learn foreign languages, even making it mandatory in secondary schools and university graduation. In the US, foreign languages are mandatory in high school. When I did my first MA degree, passing a comprehensive exam in a foreign language was required for the degree; I did Spanish. For my second MA, I did French. For my PhD, I used Hindi.

Dr Budhu made reference to Sanskrit, among the oldest languages in the world. Hindi is more apt, since Sanskrit is not widely spoken. Sanskrit is considered by scholars as the mother of many Indo-European and Asian languages and as a classical language does not attract much interest among the current generation of students, except for its relevance in the field of computer technology. Sanskrit was the language of schools

in India; small numbers of people use it, preferring Hindi, English and their regional language.

But the beauty of Sanskrit is, it is semantically exact, according to Guyanese language scholar Dr Satish Prakash, who taught languages and worked in the computer field for over 30 years.

Computer language must be unambiguous, with each symbol having only one meaning.

That is how computers operate – language of principle of certainty.

In most languages many words carry multiple meanings. But in Sanskrit, a word or symbol has only one meaning.

It is bound to its desired meaning – verb form, and 8th case ending, etc.

There is no ambiguity in meaning. No other language has that feature. In computers, like mathematics, language must be precise. In that sense, Sanskrit is useful in computer and students can be encouraged to know its relevance if not the language itself.

To address our needs in education, we should set up independent institutes of higher learning. With rural people neglected in the establishment of tertiary institutes, new ones should be located in different regions rather than in Georgetown. We should establish more independent higher education entities – geared towards research and development and vocational training – and a language institute. These can be government managed or private, or in partnership between public and private sectors.

Education policy must aim at providing education equally to all of diverse backgrounds – ethnicity, regional, and socio-economic status.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday may 18, 2022

Caribbean Food Insecurity Post-COVID and Ukraine

Part 5: GM Foods, Fertilisers and Healthy Nutrition

ARE genetically modified (GM) foods as good for the body as they look on the supermarket shelves?

In an age when the power of choice reigns supreme over the power to choose wisely, this may be considered an unfair question.

But at a time when the global aim is to keep the world’s population eating well by making healthy choices, it’s not a bad question.

Indeed, there are still too many people in this world with no choice and have to scavenge in rubbish dumps and garbage bins in search of their next family meal, or who don’t even have rubbish bins to dig through and simply depend on generosity, food aid or charitable meals.

This week, UNICEF (the United Nations agency for children), reported that malnutrition is affecting 40 million children globally under the age of five, thanks to a deadly combination of Climate Change, wars and rising food prices.

They don’t have access to water and food, while the rich nations play politics with food enterprises, hamburgers being weaponised as instruments of economic wars to remove choice and access to mil-

lions who simply won’t die hungry.

The processing of animals (chickens, cows, pigs, etc) used in burgers has always attracted heavy criticism about the effect on humans of the GM foods fed to the animals before slaughter and the chemical processes employed.

But, very able to pay for the best advertising and PR to win and keep customers, the story is a different one for those who can’t stay without ‘a-burger-a-day,’ never mind nutritional value versus cost.

In this age of digitised agriculture, minds nurtured by science will argue that genetic modification is a positive achievement that makes food tastier and more nutritious, but they’ll also admit that its side-effects can be harmful to the humans and animals that consume those food products.

One perception that lends to support for GM foods is that the products are ‘bigger and therefore better,’ but here too, scientific opinions remain split.

GM products are subject to non-natural growth injections that produce miraculous production-enhancement results vis-àvis natural or manufactured fertilisers, just like manufactured chicken feed

is seen to produce bigger birds than traditional home-grown feed; and just like the hormone treatment of American and European livestock used in the fastfood industry, is more of a production factor than a healthy consideration.

Fertilisers, on the other hand, have metamorphosed from use of animal waste (such as cow dung) to ammonia-based imported versions promoted as ‘better’ than the uninterrupted natural animal product.

But fertiliser imports have been badly hit by the COVID Supply Chain crisis and the Ukraine war, to the extent that in many cases in Africa and Asia, entire national agricultural outputs have been negatively affected by unavailability of fertilisers since March 2022.

Cattle waste has other uses in Africa and the Indian sub-continent, including as a natural cement for thatched huts (a practice still employed in parts of Guyana for ‘bottom-house’ purposes).

And never mind the scientific argument that a cow’s fart can influence climate change its dung is still useful to many in many places.

The cultural, religious see page 10

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday may 18, 2022

Part 5: GM Foods, Fertilisers ... from page 9

and other factors that influence what people eat and the choices they make, must always also be weighed against those who have no choices and those who simply cannot make wise choices because they know not better.

Same with fertilisers and GM processes: farmers and consumers respond to what they see -- mainly bigger sizes and brighter colours, which they measure against their pockets instead of with health in mind, as costs and prices largely determine consumption affordability or quantity considerations.

But today’s reality has forced many countries to review their attitudes to fertiliser production.

According to a March 15 Reuters report, ‘Mexico aims to as much as triple its fertiliser production… to support its plan to boost local agriculture [sic] production and control consumer price inflation.’

The Mexican government says it’s investing in existing fertiliser factories “to lessen reliance on foreign imports and ensure fair prices for staple foods such as corn, rice and beans by increasing production.”

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in a series of meetings with producers over the weekend, said a programme to provide free fertiliser to farmers would be expanded to several more states, including Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Veracruz.

Lopez Obrador said at an event promoting his government’s campaign to increase production of basic foods: ‘We have to produce organic fertiliser, because it is very good in theory -- and what is natural is also the best

-- but we need to increase production.’

The May 19-21 Agricultural Investment Forum and Expo at Guyana’s Arthur Chung Conference Centre will also open the way for consideration of the choices between organic and chemical fertilisers and their human nutritional impact.

These are no easy choices to the average lay farmer, but those not living in the Metaverse must not be mistakenly considered less-able to understand and apply nature and science, as they’ve done it normally for generations, learning from every experience – from astrological predictions in Mac Donald’s Farmers’ Almanac, to application of new techniques introduced by those trained in tropical agricultural sciences.

Meanwhile, fertiliser prices on the World Market rose by 80 per cent in 2021 and already by 30 per cent more since the start of 2022, causing caring governments worldwide to intervene to save both farmers and consumers from the resulting higher prices.

The Guyana government, considering the continuing escalating impact of rising fertiliser prices on food prices for Guyanese, announced Monday it will purchase and distribute -- free of cost -- $1 billion in fertilisers for farmers all across the country, to absorb the rising global costs and prevent the price rises being automatically passed on to consumers.

The $1 billion will be drawn from the $5 billion the government had set aside in the 2022 national budget to implement measures to ease the cost-of-living impact on citizens.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday may 18, 2022

GNNL presents printer, tablet to Easter Promotion winners

TWO lucky persons were on Tuesday each awarded with an eight-inch fire tablet and an HP printer from the Guyana National Newspapers Limited

(GNNL), printers and publishers of the Guyana Chronicle, the Nation’s paper.

The awarding of the devices was part of the

Guyana Chronicle’s Easter Promotion which was held in April 2022 and attracted almost 2,000 contestants from across the country.

Anika Bissoon of Cin-

derella City, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, received the tablet and Naomi Bryan of Baramita Street, South Ruimveldt, was awarded the printer.

Beverly Roberts-Barrow, Marketing and Distribution Officer of GNNL, presented the prizes to the winners. She said that what she loved about Anika is that she mailed her entries through the post.

“So persons living out

Bel Air Park, Georgetown address.

“While the promotion is open, over the years we [found] that most of our entries are from children.

We do gadgets because this directly aids in children learning,” Barrow

A smiling Naomi Bryan collects her tablet from Beverly Roberts-Barrow, Marketing and Distribution Officer of GNNL of town must know that their location does not prevent them from entering any of our promotions,” she said.

As part of the promotion, a coupon was published daily in the newspaper and contestants were required to fill out their details and submit the coupon at the publication’s 10 – 12 Lama Avenue,

said.

She used the opportunity to encourage children to read the Guyana Chronicle to keep abreast with current affairs, to utilise the National Grade Six Assessment practice sections printed every Tuesday and Thursday and to look out for other promotions.

Easter Promotion winner Anika Bissoon (left) and Beverly Roberts-Barrow, Marketing and Distribution Officer of GNNL

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Judge throws out challenge to historic GCB elections

— upholds Kamal Ramkarran’s appointment as Cricket Ombudsman

HIGH Court Judge Franklin Holder has dismissed the application filed by former secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Anand Sanasie and others, challenging the appointment of cricket ombudsman Kamal Ramkarran and the legality of the historic GCB elections that were held in March 2021.

The application was filed

to fix a date for the elections on the grounds that the said decision “is null, void, illegal, invalid, unreasonable, irrational and of no legal effect.”

Against this backdrop, the application also sought an order prohibiting and preventing the minister from appointing a Cricket Ombudsman.

The application also sought orders nullifying the appointment of Ramkarran

Attorney-at-law and Cricket Ombudsman, Kamal Ramkarran

Former secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, Anand Sanasie

by Sanasie, Chairman of the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club, Bheemraj Ramkelewan and others against the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Attorney General, and Ramkarran.

The case challenged the decisions of Minister Charles Ramson, who on February 19, 2021, by public notice, appointed Ramkarran an attorney-at-law as the Cricket Ombudsman, pursuant to Section 17 of the Act, and designated February 26 2021, as the date set for the GCB elections.

The applicants moved to the High Court seeking an injunction to prevent Ramkarran from holding and conducting those elections.

The reliefs sought by the applicants in their Notice of Application dated February 22, 2021, were refused by the court on February 25, 2021.

The GCB elections took place on March 29, 2021, and a newly elected board was formed.

However, on June 29, 2021, the applicants filed an amended application seeking a series of reliefs including an Order of Certiorari quashing the decision of the minister

and also to declare the office in question under the Guyana Cricket Administration Act was vacant.

They also contended that the Cricket Ombudsman was required to establish and verify a register of clubs prior to the holding of the elections.

In a press release, the Attorney General’s Chambers said that the judge in his ruling, which was delivered on Friday, May 13, 2022, found that Ramkarran’s appointment was lawful and in compliance with Sections 7 and 17 of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act. The judge further found that the Act does not define what is a register of clubs nor does it speak to the Cricket Ombudsman establishing a register of clubs.

As such, the judge held that it is unreasonable for the Cricket Ombudsman to create the register of clubs and then verify the same.

“He found that by Section 9 of the Act it was the County Boards which shall keep a register of clubs within their respective county. It was for the Cricket Ombudsman to verify the register of clubs and determine the method he uses

to verify same as the verification process is not prescribed in the Act,” the release said.

It added: “The learned judge therefore considered the method used by Mr. Ramkarran as laid out in his affidavit.

In doing so, he found that the Essequibo Cricket Board was non-compliant and therefore they cannot use their reluctance to comply, to stymie the holding of the elections.

The judge, therefore, held that

Mr. Kamal Ramkarran as the Cricket Ombudsman did his best and complied with the provisions of the Act prior to the holding of the elections on the 29th March 2021.”

The court, therefore,

dismissed the application with costs to be paid to the Attorney General, Ramkarran and the Guyana Cricket Board in the sum of $350,000 each, the release said.

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Construction, sale of ‘condos’ to be regularised

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

— with passage of new Condominium Bill THE landmark passage of the Condominium Bill No.4 of 2022 in the National Assembly on Tuesday serves as a form of “rescue” for a number of Guyanese, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has said.

In outlining the need for this new piece of legis-

a title to show for their accomplishment of home ownership and security for themselves and future generation,” the Prime Minister noted.

Persons who occupy the homes are not the only ones facing the difficulties, but banks and private investors too were affected.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

lation, the Prime Minister told the House that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government was forced to introduce the Bill because of the significant number of complaints from citizens who were allocated duplexes under the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration.

“The APNU+AFC Government sometime between 2015 and 2017, had a bright idea of constructing duplexes as an initiative to provide housing to Guyanese, but as is typical of the APNU+AFC, no idea is ever well thought out and the people are left to face the consequences of their incompetence,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the previous coalition administration implemented a duplex housing project without supportive policies and regulations.

“Imagine giving houses to people looking forward to home ownership, only for those persons to find out that there is absolutely no law that provides any protection for their hardearned money which they invested… and not being able to even be granted

“The lack of legal framework hindered banks from being able to provide support to many, especially young people and poor families who needed loans.

Private investors too who explored this avenue for investment also found it difficult as the law simply did not exist, but yet we had a government offer this to the people,” Prime Minister Phillips lamented.

The passage of the bill creates the basis for condominiums to be built and sold with access to services from banks, insurance companies, and more importantly, for titles to be granted for individual home ownership as stipulated by law.

With six parts and 65 clauses, the bill makes provision for the horizontal and vertical subdivision of land and buildings into units for individual ownership, and for the use and management of condominiums.

Clause 44 empowers unit owners to ensure their respective units. The bill also stipulates that proposed declarations and descriptions of units be approved by the minister before a condominium is Continued on page 15

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Construction, sale of ‘condos’...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

From page 14

constructed, or before an existing building is converted into a condominium.

It also empowers the minister to approve, reject or direct the amendment of a proposed declaration and description.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, in his presentation to the National Assembly said that prior to the bill being brought to the House, there were several consultations held with stakeholders in the housing sector, including banking institutions and insurance companies, among others.

Minister Croal said that in addition to the situation created by the past administration, the government recognised that the demand for housing was concentrated in urban areas and as such a challenge to develop new housing areas arose.

FOREIGN INTEREST He related that a num-

ber of foreigners and expatriates who have been coming into Guyana have also been seeking to have more modern options for housing, such as townhouses, apartments and condos.

This, Croal said, caused a number of foreign investors to express their interest in constructing condominiums here.

“While we welcome the interest, it was clear to us that we needed to amend, repeal and replace the current laws to provide a clear legislative landscape for the establishment and the regulation of condominium schemes,” the Housing and Water Minister said.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, said the bill is in keeping with the government’s commitment to update and modernise the country’s legal framework.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson, expressed the opposi-

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal

tion’s support for the bill, but added that their hope was that it would be sent to a special select committee for further examination.

Croal, however, said that it is the government’s intention to put the necessary administrative procedures in place.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

Corentyne man found dead with multiple chop wounds 16

THE lifeless body of 23-year-old Akash Pechia called “Luggu” of Number 50 Village,

was discovered in an empty lot at Number 55 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne, early Tues-

day morning.

The discovery was made by villagers. They found him lying face up,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

clad in black pants, white vest and red shirt with chop wounds to the back of the neck, elbow, left

Akash Pechia

wrist and fingers.

Police were immediately alerted.

According to Pechia’s cousin Hemwattie “Diana” Pechia, she saw him recently and he was in “good spirits”.

She said his death, and moreso the manner in which he died, was shocking.

The woman related to this publication that she received a call about an “incident”, but it was not conveyed clearly.

It was when she later checked her social media page that she saw a photograph of her cousin’s maimed and lifeless body.

Just three weeks ago, he was released from prison after serving time for theft and escaping from lawful custody.

In August 2021, whilst being processed for several offences he escaped from the Number 51 Police Station. He was later re-arrested at Springlands, Corriverton.

Additionally, he was placed before the courts and charged several times for other types of offences including robbery under arms.

Hemwattie recalled that during their last conversation, she encouraged him to avoid going back to prison and to

make an honest living.

She said that he mentioned that someone had beaten a friend of his and left a message saying that they “were looking for him”.

While admitting that she did not pay attention to that part of the conversation, she is hoping that the police can now act on the information.

Further, she said her brother and a friend of Pechia were detained shortly after visiting the scene. Regional Commander, Boodnarine Persaud, when contacted, confirmed that two persons were detained for questioning as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, one of Pechia’s friends recalled that they hung out at the Number 50 bus shed on Monday afternoon and were hoping to do again the following day.

Villagers who had gathered at the scene expressed shock over the dumping of a body in their quiet street.

Persons living next door to the empty lot where Pechia was found, did not recall observing anything unusual overnight and given the heavy downpour on Monday night, they said they did not hear anything unusual.

‘Sammy’ found guilty of killing ‘Boy’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

SAMUEL Stewart called ‘Sammy’ was found guilty of manslaughter by a 12-member jury for his involvement in the 2017 fatal stabbing of 25-yearold Partick Raynol called ‘Boy.’ On Tuesday, after a twohour deliberation on whether he was guilty of murder, the jury returned a verdict that confirmed Stewart was liable for the lesser offence of manslaughter.

The case was tried before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Berbice High Court.

He will return to court on June 7, 2022, when a probation report will be presented. Thereafter, he will be sentenced.

Stewart had denied that on June 16, 2019, at Limlair Village, East Berbice-Corentyne, he murdered Raynol.

According to reports, Stewart and Raynol were at a rum shop located at Limlair Village. Stewart had an issue with Raynol’s relative and attempted to stab him.

However, in an attempt to defend him, Raynol stepped in. Raynol was stabbed once to the chest in the region of his heart and he fell on a heap of sand by the roadside. Stewart was later apprehended by public-spirited citizens and handed over to the police.

DEAD: Partick Raynol called ‘Boy’

CONVICTED: Samuel Stewart

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Man gets five years, six months for Hell Hill fatal stabbing

JAILED: Leonard Fredricks

LEONARD Fredricks, was, on Monday, sentenced to serve the next five years, six months in prison for killing 50-year-old Matthews R i d g e m i n e r, P e t e r James, in 2015.

He was sentenced by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court on Monday.

On April 25, Fredricks was indicted for murder, but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, which was accepted.

He admitted that on December 30, 2015, at Hell Hill, Matthews Ridge, he unlawfully killed James of Heaven Hill, a neighbouring village.

The state was represented by Prosecutor Latifah Elliot, while attorney-at-law Teriq Mohammed was on record for Fredricks.

According to the facts presented in court, Fredricks and the deceased had been embroiled in a heated argument two months prior.

When he [Fredericks] saw him drinking in Hell Hill on the night of December 30, 2015, he seized the opportunity to even the score.

He managed to escape after inflicting the fatal injuries, but was later arrested.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Former national swimmer graduates from prestigious water institute

By Tamica Garnett

FORMER national swimmer, Omali Dare, has completed his Master of Science Degree in Water Management and Governance, and is eager to utilise his knowledge in ways that would contribute to the development of the country.

Dare graduated from the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education- the largest graduate water education facility in the world- which is located in The Netherlands.

The institution is revered as a knowledge centre for water infrastructure, technology and sciences, and attracts high-level students and scientists from around the globe.

Dare was able to attend the institute through a scholarship from the Ministry of Public Service. And based on his agreement, he will work within the public sector for the next three years.

Though he is grateful for completing yet another chapter in his academic journey, the 27-year-old said that his time at IHE was no “walk in the park.”

“I am grateful, but the journey was rough and filled with uncertainties. I am not the same person who I was when I started, I am humbled by how much I don’t know,” the former New Silver City Secondary student shared.

He further commented: “The programme was intense. While it was easy to understand, the amount of information which we were expected to read and assimilate for each module in three weeks was very taxing. After a rough 18 months, I think I want a break to mentally recover from the intense learning process.”

Dare shared that throughout his academic journey he focused on what his achievements would mean for his family, and how he could make them proud.

“I feel like it means more for my family than myself because throughout our generations everybody has made small improvements for a better quality of life, which afforded me this opportunity.

For this reason, I am humbled,” Dare said.

He added: “I have never been away from home for so long, so I definitely miss my family and all the associated gatherings. I also came in the midst of the [COVID-19] pandemic when everything was locked and, at the time,

Europe’s numbers were astronomical. I contemplated at one point if I should even leave Guyana.”

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dare shared how he ended up specialising in the study of water, thanks to growing up near a creek in the mining town of Linden, where he would swim daily and his family would use the water for domestic purposes.

His love for water also led to him becoming a national swimmer, representing Guyana at the regional Goodwill Championships for several years.

With a love for water from a very young age, Dare naturally gravitated towards studying the environment and water when he began his university education. In 2017, he graduated from the University of Guyana with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies.

“I decided to study environmental studies because I recognised that there were a number of issues environmentally related and I wanted to add value and contribute to solutions,” he said.

Dare developed a particular interest in studying pollution caused by mining across the country, moreso, after he visited the interior region where he observed, first-hand, the pollution caused by gold mining.

“Visiting several of the indigenous communities, I recognised that they depend heavily on the surrounding rivers and creeks. However, I also noticed that the mining activities have polluted waterways heavily and this can have several negative implications for these communities. I think this is where my interest began,” the graduate said.

FIRST BOOK Dare’s achievement of his master’s degree comes just a few months after he would’ve published his first book on the use of composting to boost agriculture titled: “The Potential of Composting: A pilot Study Investigating the Potential for Composting in Rural Areas.”

Agriculture and farming is another area where he is hoping to apply his expertise and make an impact in Guyana’s development.

“I think, with my experience in the sector and my newly acquired teachings in water management, hopeful-

ly, I will be able to add value and lend my technical expertise with solutions to best reduce pollution in Guyana’s water ways,” Dare said.

The graduate, who is formally attached to the Ministry of Natural Resources as an Environmental Officer, did a thesis which captured: “An assessment of the participation of actors and the regulatory framework for artisanal and small scale gold mining in the Mazaruni River Basin, Guyana.”

“I chose the thesis because I wanted to investigate an issue that is related to the mining sector and that I can use in the future.

The legal regulatory frame-

work that exists in Guyana to manage the artisanal sector, while most of it is consistent with international standards, guidelines and best practices, there are still several gaps and challenges,” Dare said Although Guyana is a signatory to the Minamata Convention, which seeks to eradicate the use mercury in the mining sector, there is room for capacity building in order to sufficiently implement the guidelines of the convention.

Dare hopes that his new-found knowledge would allow him to contribute efficiently to Guyana’s development in this area.

Omali Dare

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Duo on trial for Professor Mars murder change plea to guilty

ONE week after pleading not guilty to the 2016 murder of 75-year-old retired professor, Pairadeau `Perry’ Mars, Paul Chance and Andre Benjamin, have decided to change their plea.

Chance, 23, and Benja-

min, 22, were on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court.

On Monday, May 9, 2022, the duo denied that they murdered the former University of Guyana pro-

fessor on May 12, 2016, at his Bissessar Street, Prashad Nagar home, during the course of a robbery.

However, on Tuesday, May 17, the men opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Jus-

tice Kissoon directed the jury to return a guilty verdict for manslaughter.

The judge ordered that probation reports and psychological evaluations be prepared for both Chance and Benjamin.

On the day in question, at about 18:30 hours, the professor was found in his house by his wife with his hands and feet duct-taped and with injuries to his head.

The house was ransacked, and a number of articles and cash were missing. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a private hospital.

According to reports, the teens were known to Profes-

CONFESSED KILLER: Paul Chance

He then adjourned the matter until June 9, 2022, for the presentation of the reports and sentencing.

The state is being represented by prosecutor Abigail

Murdered: Retired Professor Pairadeau ‘Perry’ Mars

CONFESSED KILLER: Andre Benjamin

Gibbs, while Ronald Daniels and Kiswana Jefford are the attorneys for the duo.

In 2019, the duo’s co-accused Nikisha Dover, Orin McRae, and Naomi Adams were arraigned before High Court Judge, Navindra Singh, for the capital offence of murder.

However, they opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Dover and McRae were each sentenced to 12 years in jail and Adams was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Mars was killed by a gang of teens, who beat and bound him in his house. At the time, the teens were between the ages of 15 and 18 and reportedly confessed to the murder/robbery, while in police custody.

sor Mars. They were arrested after neighbours allegedly observed the group leaving the retired professor’s residence with suitcases and entering a car. Subsequently, his wife returned home and found his bloodied and lifeless body in the house.

Less than 24 hours later, the police arrested the suspects and recovered a sum of cash, a laptop computer, an iPod and a PlayStation that were taken from Mars’ house.

Mars specialised in African Studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA, having studied history at the University of Guyana and Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

He was also credited with developing an international academic exchange project between Africana Studies, the College of Urban Labour and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA), and the University of Guyana.

A post-mortem performed on Mars had revealed that death was due to manual strangulation, compounded by multiple fractures to the head and face.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Five ways climate change is intensifying the threats to plant health (FAO) PLANTS are humans’ best friends and main allies in life on earth.

Plants are responsible for 98 per cent of the oxygen we breathe and make up 80 per cent of our daily calorie intake. However, we often take them for granted, not realising the importance of keeping them healthy.

Every year up to 40 per cent of food crops is lost to plant pests and diseases. These losses in both yields and income have a devastating effect on the poorest communities who base their livelihoods on agriculture.

Plant pests and diseases know no boundaries. In a highly globalised and interconnected world, it is not surprising that these can travel and colonise new areas. Climate change is exacerbating this spread, creating favourable conditions for these pests and the survival of specific plant diseases in new areas.

For example, climate change has already had a hand in expanding the host range or distribution of pests such as the red palm weevil, fall armyworm, fruit fly, desert locust and emerald ash borer.

An increase in pests poses a significant threat to the environment because pests, particularly invasive ones, can cause a major loss in biodiversity.

Plant diseases are equally devastating, wreaking havoc on harvests and slashing incomes for farmers.

So, what are some of the most invasive plant diseases and how is climate change contributing to their spread?

Here are just five increasingly dangerous plant diseases threatening plant health: POTATO LATE BLIGHT Late blight is a disease that attacks potatoes and tomatoes and is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans. In tomatoes, the disease causes lesions on leaves, petioles and stems, while potato tubers develop a rot up to 15 millimetres deep. The fungus has a great ability to adapt to changing conditions, preferring warm and wet seasons. Climate change is creating favourable conditions for this fungus at different times and places than before. For example, in Egypt, increasingly warm and wet weather is promoting potato late blight epidemics, allowing the pathogen to accumulate earlier in the growing season.

COFFEE LEAF RUST This fungal disease, also known as Hemileia vastatrix, affects the leaves of the coffee plant. It begins to show up as yellow spots and then

turns into a yellow-orange powder that easily spreads to other coffee plants. Coffee leaf rust is one of the biggest challenges for global coffee production because the disease is able to adapt to different climates. Global warming seems to help to reduce the incubation period of the pathogen, meaning that more generations of the pathogen can develop in a growing season.

BANANA FUSARIUM WILT This is a lethal fungal disease caused by the soil-borne fungus, Fusarium oxysporum TR4. Entering the banana plant through the roots, the fungus blocks the flow of water and nutrients to the plant cells, gradually devastating the leaves. Eventually, this disease leads to the death of the plant. High temperatures as well as extreme environmental events such as cyclones, both common impacts of climate change, can increase the risk of banana Fusarium wilt.

XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterium transmitted by several species of sap-sucking insects, like leafhoppers, infecting several economically important crops, such as grapevines, citrus, olive, almond, peach and coffee, and in ornamental and forestry plants. The bacterium blocks the host’s ability to absorb water, ultimately causing an internal drought. Xylella is prevalent primarily in the Americas, southern Europe and the Near East, but has the potential to expand beyond its current distribution. The increase in insect vector populations could lead to the severe distribution of this disease.

GRAPE DOWNY MILDEW Triggered by the Plasmopara viticola fungus, downy mildew is an extremely serious fungal disease of grapes that can cause heavy losses in crops. The pathogen attacks green parts of the vine, especially the leaves, causing angular, yellowish, sometimes oily lesions between the veins.

Increased air temperatures favour the onset of the disease. The risk of severe grape downy mildew outbreaks increases as climate change alters temperatures in many regions.

Once established, plant pests and diseases are difficult to eradicate and doing so requires a great deal of money and time. That is why adopting preventive strategies

is the most effective solution.

To raise awareness of the importance of plant health and protection, FAO and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat have published the scientific review of the impact of climate change on plant pests.

The publication provides a comprehensive background on the impact of climate change on plant health and contains recommendations on mea-

sures to prevent risks.

Starting this year, FAO and the United Nations are marking May 12 as the International Day of Plant Health.

It is an opportunity to understand the importance of plant health and disease prevention and to raise awareness of the need for action. Plants give so much to us humans without asking for anything back except their protection.

It is time to return the favour.

Climate change is exacerbating the spread of plant pests like fall armyworm and diseases like Xylella fastidiosa (FAO photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Landmark Hemp Bill proposes establishment of regulatory authority

THE government, on Tuesday, reinforced its seriousness about the development of the industrial hemp industry, with the presentation of the Industrial Hemp Bill in the National Assembly.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, tabled the Bill, which will be another critical policy of the government that is intended to transform the lives of Guyanese.

Minister Mustapha said the passage of the Bill will provide for the cultivation of hemp and

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

pave the way for the use of the plant for manufacturing purposes.

It also caters for hemp to be used for conducting research and for any other activity concerning or relating to industrial hemp.

The Bill also proposes the establishment of the Guyana Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority, which will be the governing body of the hemp industry.

The Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority, which will be governed by a Board of Direc-

tors, will, among other things, evaluate licence applications, grant, suspend, and revoke licences, set growing quotas, and work with the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit to oversee hemp output.

Board members who fail to disclose linked interests in items being addressed, as well as information related to the authority’s activities, would face fines of up to $200,000.

Additionally, as stated in the Bill, persons will not be allowed to cultivate hemp or engage in

hemp-related operations without a licence, and those who do so without one would face a $500,000 fine and a year in prison.

Hemp is often confused with marijuana because it is a member of the cannabis family, but it has significantly lower tetrahydrocannabinol than marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gives users the “high feeling.”

However, if someone were to consume hemp, it would not affect their mind or body due to the lower level of tetrahydrocannabinol, research states.

Hemp has proven to be a super plant, responsible for the creation of myriad products.

Some of the products derived from hemp include rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, food, paper, bioplastics, insulation and biofuel.

According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Centre, hemp is rich in protein, unsaturated fats, fibre, minerals and vitamins and it protects the brain, boosts heart health, reduces inflammation, improves skin conditions and relieves rheumatoid arthritis.

The Global Industrial Hemp Markets Report 2021-2028, published by GlobeNewswire in November 2021, states that the global industrial hemp mar-

ket size is expected to reach US$12.01 billion by 2028 and to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 16.2 percent from 2021 to 2028.

This is one of the reasons the Government of Guyana is keen on establishing a local hemp industry.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in March, expressed optimism that Guyana could develop a viable hemp industry.

“The hemp industry is not only about hemp production, but it is about having the processing and value-added facilities here in Guyana and these are industries that can generate jobs, these are industries that have high value return,” Dr. Ali said.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had announced that licences will be issued to farmers to cultivate hemp in Regions Six and Ten, following the passage of the legislation.

A move towards the development of the hemp industry is also aligned with the government’s aim of creating 50,000 jobs by 2025.

With thousands of jobs already created in the housing, construction, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture sectors, among others, many more will become available soon with the development of the industrial hemp industry.

Tussle over parking space leaves three drivers injured A CONFRONTATION among three drivers over parking space at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, has left all of them injured.

According to police reports, the drivers were Kinray Joseph, 36, a rural constable; Kennedy Barky, 34, a taxi driver; and Gordon Branch, a 51-year-old taxi driver.

Subsequent to the argument, the men were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where two were treated and sent away, and the other was admitted.

Reports are that Joseph lives with his mother in D’Andrade Street, and his mother normally holds “box hands,” while Barky, along with his two children and his children’s mother, also resides in the same yard in D’Andrade Street, where they are renting an apartment.

Investigations revealed that, around 08:15 hrs on Monday, Branch, who throws “box hand” with Joseph’s mother, went to drop off his money and parked his car in a position that blocked the entrance to the same yard.

Using explicit language, Barky asked Branch why he

parked his car that way and blocked the entrance; that resulted in an argument between the two.

Joseph, who was in his house, heard the argument and came out to make peace, but Barky purportedly pulled a knife from his pants pocket and dealt Joseph several stabs about his body, including his neck.

Branch then tried to sepa-

rate them, during which he was stabbed to his right hand. Branch then went to his car, took out a cutlass and dealt Barky a chop to his left hand.

Joseph, as a result of the incident, remains a patient in the Accident and Emergency Unit at GPHC, while Branch and Barky were treated and sent away. Investigation into this matter is ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Police, EPA partner to tackle noise nuisance

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on Monday, signed a Memorandum of Agreement to tackle noise nuisance.

The agreement was signed by acting Deputy Commissioner (Administration), Calvin Brutus, and Executive Director of the EPA, Kemraj

Parsram, in the Commissioner’s conference room at Force Headquarters, Eve Leary.

According to the GPF, this agreement paves the way for greater collaboration between the EPA and the police in the areas of training and enforcement of noise management.

At the signing ceremony were Force

216 persons undergoing GDF recruitment course OVER 200 persons are undergoing induction training on the Basic Recruit Course 2022-01 at the Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama.

According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), training commenced on March 23, 2022, and is scheduled for completion in mid-June.

The core training for the recruits will cover a number of areas including skill-at-arms, drills, physical training, map reading, and navigation, among others.

The course is intended to transform a civilian into a soldier who is fit, obedient, loyal and disciplined, and possesses high standards of infantry skills and marksmanship abilities.

Colonel General Staff, Colonel Julius Skeete, welcomed the recruits and thanked them for choosing to serve their country as a soldier in the GDF. He urged them to assimilate the lessons and skills into their daily life and place a high priority on embodying the values and standards being taught.

Further, Colonel Skeete told the recruits that their enlistment was timely, particularly in wake of the growth and development underway in the country, which will see the Guyana Defence Force playing a more diverse and integral role in service to the nation.

At the conclusion of the course, outstanding soldiers will be rewarded in various categories.

Some of recruits during the course opening (GDF photo)

Training Officer, Superintendent Keithon King; Head of the Strategic Planning Unit, Assistant Superintendent Nicola Kendall; Head of the Community Relations Department, Senior Superintendent Crystal Robinson and Police Legal Advisor, Mandel Moore, among others.

Acting Deputy Commissioner (Admin), Calvin Brutus and EPA’s Executive Director, Kemraj Parsram, signing the Memorandum of Agreement

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday May 18, 2022

Magnum Independence Futsal …

Back Circle out to stop favoured Sparta Boss FOLLOWING several notable defeats inclusive of a final’s loss in the 2019 edition, Back Circle captain Selwyn Williams stated that the team is seeking revenge against Sparta Boss on Saturday in the grand finale of the Magnum at the National Park tarmac.

This was stated in an official release from the tournament organiser. Williams stated, “We are going for revenge in this final. We have met before in three previous finals, and never got past them so we are looking forward to doing what we have to do to win this

title. This finale is all about beating Sparta Boss.”

Sparta Boss defeated Back Circle 2-1 on penalty kicks, after full time ended 4-4 in the 2nd edition of the championship in March 2019 at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

Unbeaten Back Circle sealed their place in 2022 final, after overcoming fellow powerhouse Gold is Money, 5-2, in the semi-final round.

On the other hand, Sparta Boss triumphed over Bent Street 18-17 in arguably the greatest match staged on local shores in the format.

Quizzed on the significance of securing the title, Williams stated, “It would mean a lot to us, based on our supporters who are also looking for this victory and because we have not won a major tournament in a long time. We are not going out there just to beat them’ we are playing for the pride and the bragging rights of the community. This match is for bragging rights.”

Asked about the team’s confidence level heading into the matchup, Williams said, “We are not underestimating Sparta because they are a good team and have quality players,

Johnson preaches mental focus... (From page 35) rumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Leroy Lugg, Oraine Williams, Aldaine Thomas, Gordon Bryan, Paul Palmer Jr., Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Nicholson Gordon, Derval Green, Patrick Harty, Kirk McKenzie, Brandon King.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes: Rahkeem Cornwall (captain), Hayden Walsh Jr., Devon Thomas, Amir Jangoo, Kieran Powell, Colin Archibald, Terence Warde, Jeremiah Louis, Keacy Carty, Sheno Berridge, Daniel Doram, Damion Wil-

liams, Ross Powell, Kian Pemberton.

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force: Imran Khan (Captain), Jason Mohammed, Jeremy Solozano, Isaiah Rajah, Khary Pierre, Shannon Gabriel, Darren Bravo, Jayden Seales, Bryan Charles, Yannic Cariah, Akeal Hosein, Uthman Muhammad, Anderson Phillip, Keagan Simmons, Joshua

Da Silva.

Windward Islands Volcanoes: Kavem Hodge (captain), Keron Cottoy, Denis Smith, Devon Smith, Ackeem Auguste, Alick Athanaze, Alick Athanaze, Daurius Martin, Desron Maloney, Josh Thomas, Kenneth, Dember, Kimani Melius, Preston McSween, Shermon Lewis, Teddy Bishop, Larry Edward.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday May 18, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kolkata Knight Riders (2) Chennai Super Kings Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Match in the IPL 2012 final?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Tournament in IPL 2012?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue 12:10 hrs Joke Dancer 12:45 hrs Hillview

English Racing Tips Ayr 08:00 hrs Dandy Maestro 08:35 hrs Georgiava 09:10 hrs Blazing Son 09:45 hrs Classy Al 10:20 hrs Angel Power 10:55 hrs Kats Bob 11:25 hrs Lullaby Bay 11:58 hrs Smart Connection Warwick 09:55 hrs Galahad Threepwood 10:30 mhrs Sofia’s Rock 11:05 hrs Great D’ange 11:40 hrs Percy’s Word

Kempton 12:30 hrs 13:00 hrs 13:30 hrs 14:00 hrs 14:30 hrs 15:00 hrs 15:30 hrs

Fiorina Encouraged Tickets Land Of Summer Heart Of Soul Biggles Ilabella Fact

Irish Racing Tips Cork 12:05 hrs Relevant Range 12:40 hrs Sarcastic 13:10 hrs Red Lacewing 13:40 hrs Pallasmore Lass 14:10 hrs Janoobi 14:40 hrs Breakintheclouds 15:10 hrs Edge Of My Seat

American Racing Tips Fingerlakes Race 1 High Command Race 2 Old Man Winter Race 3 Vibe Setter Race 4 K K Ichikawa Race 5 U Guys Are No Fun Race 6 Started With Stars Race 7 Magic Pro Race 8 Make It In NY Race 9 Out Of Tune South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:10 hrs Canford Lights 08:50 hrs Tin Cup 09:25 hrs Exceeder 10:00 hrs Walk Of Fame 10:35 hrs Miss Greenlight 11:15 hrs Silver Salmon

five of whom are part of the national team, and are training and fit, but we are confident of defeating them, and securing the title.”

Meanwhile, Gold is Money and Bent Street will face-off in the third-place playoff. Likewise, North-East La Penitence will battle Future Stars in the

Plate Finale.

The winners of the tournament will receive $700 000, and the championship accolade, whilst the runners-up will pocket $400 000 and the corresponding trophy. The third- and fourth-place finishers will pocket $200 000 and $100 000 respectively. The

winners of the Plate Section will receive $40 000.

The other sponsors of the event are MVP Sport, Nigel Hinds Financial Services, Andrews Supermarket, Bold Expressions Barbershop, Fireside Grill ‘N’ Chill, Star Party Rentals, and Lucozade.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday May 18, 2022

GOA announces formation of Athletes’ Commission THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is proud to announce the establishment of the long-awaited Athletes’ Commission.

This commission will comprise athletes who have represented Guyana at multisport games, regional games and/or participated in national championships within the past eight years.

As described in their Mission Statement, the commission will ensure the viewpoints of athletes are placed at the heart of the Guyana Olympic Association’s decisions, serve as an effective link between athletes and GOA and maximise support and lobby for increased participation of athletes of Guyana through Olympic Soli-

darity and other programmes.

The Guyana Olympic Association thanks Ms Tiffany Solomon, Mr Rondel McArthur and Mr Joshua Griffith (who were appointed to a steering committee in early 2020) for their diligent efforts in drafting the Constitution which will form the framework of the commission.

In April 2022, affiliated

National Federations were invited to nominate athletes to serve on the commission.

Six Federations responded, nominating a total of twelve athletes; in addition to the three on the steering committee.

On May 16 a meeting was convened to select the chairperson and vice-chairperson to lead this new commission. Nine (9) of the fifteen nominees attended and voted in Ms Chelsea Edghill as chairperson and Mr. Joshua Griffith as vice-chairperson.

The athletes expressed their joy at the formation of the Athletes’ Commission; stating that it is long overdue and can only augur well for Guyana’s athletes. They stated that the athletes go to Games and know what the challenges are; adding that this will be an opportunity

for the voices of the athletes to be heard.

They noted that if they work together, collectively, across all of the sports disciplines, changes can be made from the athletes’ perspective.

The executive members of the GOA welcomed the members of the Commission and urged them to meet as soon as possible to start working. They were told that the resources of the GOA are at their disposal. They were also reminded that, while doing the work of the commission, they represent all athletes.

Under the soon-to-be-adopted updated Constitution of the GOA, a representative of the Athletes Commission sits on the Executive Committee, two representatives are included among the Members

of the Association and attend Council Meetings and the Commission is entitled to one vote for the election of Officers of the Association.

Ms Aliann Pompey OLY, four-time Olympian and president of the Panam Sports Athlete Commission said, “I know first-hand the effort and hard work that went into making this day happen.

It’s a critical step for athletes in Guyana; the implications cannot be over-stated. Thanks to the GOA for staying with this process to the end. Congratulations to Chelsea, the Commission Chair.”

The establishment of the Athletes’ Commission is an exciting accomplishment and the members of the executive look forward to working with them for the benefit of the athletes.

Guyanese Omari Glasgow scores in Chicago Fire FC II victory GOLDEN Jaguars’ forward Omari Glasgow scored his first goal in the Major League Soccer Next Pro play, which helped Chicago Fire FC II earn their first regulation victory by defeating FC Cincinnati 2 by a score of 3-1 on Saturday.

Omari Glasgow, Victor Bezerra and Alex Monis all scored a goal for the Fire, while Andrew Akindele scored the visitors’ lone goal in the 29th minute.

Glasgow opened his MLS NEXT Pro scoring account in the 28th minute, after receiv-

ing the ball from Josh Penn on the left side of the box and dribbling his way past several defenders.

The Guyanese forward slotted a ball through traffic, slipping it into the lower far corner. Cincinnati responded one minute later with a goal from Akindele.

Chicago earned a corner kick 11 minutes into the second half that Josh Penn lined up to take. Penn sent the ball into the top of the six-yard box where forward Victor Bezerra rose up to meet it, sending a powerful header into the back of the net. This

marked Bezerra’s third goal of the season.

With five minutes left in the match, Penn found himself in front of Cincinnati goalkeeper Beckham Sunderland, who blocked his attempt off his foot.

Richard Flemming III managed a quick rebound attempt that was also blocked.

That rebound fell to Alex Monis, who fired a shot into the left side of the goal.

Goalkeeper Chris Brady made six saves, including two one-v-one blocks, to keep the Fire in the game.

Sunrisers Hyderabad keep... (From back page) ROHIT, KISHAN SET THE PLATFORM With Suryakumar Yadav out injured, Mumbai's top order had some heavy lifting to do. They managed to mix aggression and pragmatism in the early exchanges, pouncing on their opportunities without taking wild risks.

Rohit Sharma showed more intent, Ishan Kishan was more effective. But from 45 for no loss in five overs, they sort of slowed down to 61 in eight overs.

UMRAN MALIK PACE LIKE FIRE When Malik began the ninth over, familiar questions over his control started

cropping up. However, even after three extra deliveries and 14 runs in his first over, Malik had clearly unsettled the batters. Rohit was hit flush in the helmet, which went for four leg-byes. Kishan was hit on the bat even before he could get into position to pull, the top-edge going for a six.

However, it was Washington Sundar, who brought the first breakthrough. It was a match-up that has worked for Washington in the past.

Before this match, he had bowled 19 balls to Rohit for 17 runs and two wickets.

So Sunrisers were not shy of bowling him at Rohit.

Eventually, he saw Rohit

give him the charge, shortened the length, and had him caught at deep midwicket.

The door ajar, Malik burst through. He made life difficult for Kishan, Tilak Verma and pinch-hitter Sams. Each of them was late on the ball, unable to come to terms with the pace and the bounce.

Malik was now only three wickets behind the table-topper, but more tellingly, had conceded most not-in-control runs this IPL, drawing, on an average, a staggering ten false responses in each four-over spell. Malik's burst left Mumbai needing 67 off the last five.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday May 18, 2022

Ramdihal, Dhanpaul bowl Phoenix to victory HEMENDRA Ramdihal and Yutesh Dhanpaul spun Phoenix Cricket Club to a nine-wicket victory against Meten-Meer-Zorg CC on Sunday when the two teams met at the 2022 Lax Network Queens DBA Dunkin 40-over competition at the 108th Street Seaview ground in Brooklyn.

The two bowlers dismantled their opponents for a paltry 71 in 24.2 overs in the predominantly overseas-based Guyanese clash.

Left-arm spinner Ramdihal, who did the damage in

the middle order, picked up 4-11 from eight overs, while off-spinner Dhanpaul who was effective in the middle and lower order, finished with 4-21 from 6.2 overs.

Only opener Ewart Nicholson with 11 from 13 balls and number six batter Keith Edie with 10 from 15 balls reached double figures.

Phoenix started out with a blistering first-wicket partnership of 65 between hard-hitter Dino Choo-weenam and Arnil Raghnath, which almost carried the side home.

Phoenix CC registered a dominant nine-wicket victory

When the explosive Choo-wee-nam lost his wicket for 32 from 30 balls

(2x4,2x6), former West Indies cricketer Assad Fudadin joined Raghnath and the two

pushed the score to 72-1 in 12.5 overs.

Raghnath finished with

32* from 31 balls (3x4, 2x6), while Fudadin finished with five runs.

West Indies Championship …

Johnson preaches mental focus as Harpies ready for challenge GUYANA’S Harpy Eagles captain Leon Johnson has reminded his team to be mentally focused as they prepare for their thirdround match against Barbados Pride beginning tomorrow.

The Eagles, who are fourth in the standings on 21.4 points, will play defending champions and unbeaten Barbados Pride who have 42 points, at Queen’s Park Oval.

Captain Leon Johnson said players got in good performances during their practice matches and they would be going into the third round physically and mentally prepared.

“It’s about getting our mental focus in order and performing as we know we

can,” he said.

Meanwhile captain Kraigg Brathwaite said his men were looking forward to the challenge after the lengthy break.

“For us, it’s backing our plan and sticking to it. We cannot underestimate any of the opponents and (must) execute what we’ve been doing at training,” he said.

Second in the standings are Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, the only other unbeaten team so far, on 38.6 points.

Captain of the home team, captain Imran Khan said they were confident heading into their thirdround clash against Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

“But we are taking it one

game at a time and not taking anyone for granted. Our only focus is Red Force and executing the plans that we have as a team,” he said.

Rahkeem Cornwall, captain of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes which rounds out the top three in the standings with 24.6 points, said his side was prepared for their clash with Red Force at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex.

“Our preparations, coming into the remaining rounds, have been going well and we are just ready to get out and play. Cricket is played on the day, so we just must assess the conditions, stick to our game plans, and execute,” she said.

Although Windward Is-

lands Volcanoes lie second last in the standings on 10.9 points, captain, Kavem Hodge said they intend to do the basics for longer and let everything fall into place when they go up against Jamaica Scorpions, who are at the bottom of the table.

“The stats don’t reflect the kind of cricket we’ve been playing; our focus now is to finish off games after coming very close in the previous rounds,” he said.

Jamaica Scorpions, on 8.8 points, will have their work cut out for them.

“The previous two rounds were some time ago and it’s almost as though we’re starting from zero again, though the points standing wont reflect that.

What we must do now in this round is to start well and execute what we have been doing in practice,” skipper John Campbell said.

Scorpions and Volcanoes, who have not picked up a single win so far, play each other at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

The franchises are playing for the coveted Headley/ Weekes Trophy – named in honour of George Headley and Sir Everton Weekes, pioneers of West Indies cricket and two of the game’s greatest batters.

The first two rounds were played in February and broke for the Apex Test series.

FULL SQUADS: Barbados Pride: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain),

Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Keon Harding, Chaim Holder, Shai Hope, Akeem Jordan, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Ramon Simmonds, Jomel Warrican, Camarie Boyce, Justin Greaves.

Guyana Harpy Eagles: Leon Johnson (captain), Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Vishaul Singh, Akshaya Persaud, Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Gudakesh Motie, Nial Smith, Demetri Cameron, Antony Adams, Kevin Sinclair, Ronsford Beaton.

Jamaica Scorpions: John Campbell (captain), Nk(Turn to page 33)

Guyana Harpy Eagles take on Barbados Pride in round three of the West Indies Championship from today

West Indies Championship …

PAGE

35

Johnson preaches mental focus as Harpies ready for challenge Magnum Independence Futsal …

Back Circle out to stop favoured Sparta Boss

PAGE

33

The Back Circle side which is hunting championship glory

Nicholas Pooran was all intent and big hits from the moment he walked out (BCCI)

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Sunrisers Hyderabad kept their campaign alive, but only just, with a three-run win over Mumbai Indians in a rollercoaster finish. Now joint-sixth with 12 points from 13 matches, Sunrisers are now left needing a win in their last game and a number of other results to go their way.

Mumbai, meanwhile, are now the favourites to finish bottom of the table, two points behind Chennai Super Kings with a match each to go.

On a five-match losing streak, Sunrisers finally dropped Kane Williamson down the order, which brought immediate dividends with Priyam Garg, his replacement at the top of the order, and Rahul Tripathi bossing the first 16 overs with help from Nicholas Pooran.

Despite the sensational pace of Umran Malik, Mumbai's inexperienced batting line-up stayed alive till the end of the 18th over, which went for four sixes from Tim David. With 19 required off 13, though, David ran himself out and Bhuvneshwar Kumar closed it out

Sunrisers Hyderabad keep playoff hopes alive with a wicket-maiden in the 19th.

A REFRESHING CHANGE AT THE TOP Asked to bat first, Sunrisers came out with a new opening pair. Even though they lost Abhishek Sharma early, Tripathi and Garg counterattacked towards the end of the powerplay. It looked like a dry pitch, but the duo hit hard enough for even slight mis-hits to clear the small Wankhede boundaries.

That said, they nailed their hitting almost all the time.

It started with Tripathi taking on Jasprit Bumrah in the fifth over, hitting him for six, four and four, before Garg put a short ball from Daniel Sams on to the top tier of the stands at deep square-leg.

Often teams maximise the powerplay and slow down as the field spreads, but these two kept going.

Garg took the lead against the spinners, hitting a six off left-armer Sanjay Yadav before taking two fours in one Mayank Markande over. When Garg fell for 42 off 26 in the tenth over, he had

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made sure Sunrisers had their highest ten-over score this IPL: 97.

The wicket didn't slow down Tripathi at all, and Pooran walked in as if coming from a net and used to the pace of the pitch. The second ball he faced, Pooran glanced Bumrah for four. He then lofted Riley Meredith for a six over long-off and then swept him for another over square leg. Tripathi wasn't to be left behind, taking three fours off the 16th over, bowled by Sams.

MUMBAI SURVIVE DEATH OVERS At 164 in 16 overs, with eight wickets in hand and two set batters looking dangerous, Sunrisers looked set for a massive total. However, in the next two overs, every big shot they tried resulted in a wicket. Sams was too full for a flick from Pooran, and Ramandeep Singh too short for slogs from Tripathi and Aiden Markram. These wickets hurt Sunrisers as only two boundaries and 29 runs came off the last four overs.

TURN TO PAGE 34 ► WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022