Guyana, India to Create a Regional Agri-tech Campus to Expand the Agriculture Sector

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the strong bilateral relationship between India and Guyana will continue to produce fruitful outcomes.

As part of its efforts to expand the agriculture sector, President Ali noted that a regional agri-tech campus will be created to support the regional food hub. This is in keeping with the government’s commitment to advance the region’s food security strategy.

This was highlighted by the president during his address at the 74th anniversary of the Republic of India on Thursday, hosted by the Indian High Commission in Guyana.

He highlighted the discussions were comprehensive and covered areas related to the oil and gas sector.

Dr Ali underscored the discussions with Bangalore Bio-Innovation Centre will help to build Guyana’s agriculture sector with an ecosystem that includes a regional food hub.

This forms part of an ambitious strate- gy to stimulate a biotech ecosystem to expand the agriculture sector.

Additionally, this will help to create an agri-tech campus that will deal with the technological aspect, research and development, technology, human resource training, and improvement in policies that will lead to greater yield and productivity.

Over the next few months, President Ali noted a plethora of measures aimed at creating a new ecosystem centred around agriculture, which will focus on highvalue, new areas, and innovation.

He added that technological innovation plays an integral role in nation-building.

The head of state underlined that Guyana is building a food production and agriculture system on a platform that will make it competitive and resilient to operate in an economy in 2023 and beyond.

The president noted that his administration will continue to position Guyana to be a strong, responsible leader, regionally and internationally, on the environment, climate, energy, and food security, among other areas.

“We must find strategic partners bilaterally, to work with us on a governmentto-government relationship, and basis to advance the energy sector. This is a policy position of the government. I am very pleased with the discussions we had at the highest level in India. And their overall deep interests in being a part of the entire ecosystem of our energy sector,” the president asserted.

India’s support to Guyana has been outstanding, President Ali acknowledged while stating that their collaboration has touched nearly every facet of national development “through education, scholarships, training, technology transfers, and evolution of cultural development.”

President Ali also lauded India for its technological innovations which include the metro stations and harnessing the water source for electrical consumption.

“I look forward to India playing a key role in developing and helping economies, especially in transforming themselves from technological and human resource perspectives,” President Ali underlined.

The president was joined by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and Former President, Donald Ramotar.l

Carrot Cake

Pancakes

Kitchen Corner Watch Rihanna at the Superbowl Halftime Show on Feb 12

How does "cake for breakfast" sound? The spices in these pancakes take you right to the flavors of a carrot cake. They are drizzled with a thin frosting and topped with raisins, coconut flakes, nuts, and candied ginger. By Laura Kanya, AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

Pancakes

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon table salt

1 cup whole buttermilk

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ cup finely grated carrot

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for griddle

Frosting

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon whole milk

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

3 tablespoons golden raisins

3 tablespoons toasted chopped pecans or walnuts

3 tablespoons toasted unsweetened coconut flakes

1 tablespoon finely chopped candied ginger (Optional)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the Pancakes: Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until combined. Add buttermilk, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla; stir until just combined. Stir in carrots and melted butter until just combined. Set aside.

Step 2

Prepare the Frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together cream cheese, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.

Step 3

Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, stir together raisins, pecans, coconut, and ginger, if desired. Set aside.

Step 4

Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium. Grease skillet or griddle with butter.

Step 5

Working in batches, scoop 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the skillet, being sure not to overcrowd skillet. Cook until bubbles begin to form on surface of pancakes and edges look dry, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, and cook until fluffy and slightly firm, about 1 minute. Repeat with remaining batter, adding butter and adjusting heat as needed.

Step 6

Divide pancakes evenly among 4 plates. Drizzle Pancakes evenly with Frosting, and sprinkle evenly with Topping.l

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 458 calories; total fat 25g; saturated fat 14g; cholesterol 96mg; sodium 630mg; total carbohydrate 49g; dietary fiber 4g; protein 11g; potassium 374mg

Cook Time: 5 mins

Active Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

International icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist Rihanna will take center stage at State Farm Stadium for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVII, on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

"Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn. A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment," said Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage," said Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music. "Rihanna is a once in a generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career. We look forward to collaborating with Rihanna, Roc Nation and Apple Music to bring fans another historic Halftime Show performance."

"Rihanna is an incredible recording artist who is a favorite for many millions of Apple Music customers around the world," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and Beats. "We're excited to partner with Rihanna, Roc Nation and the NFL to bring music and sports fans a momentous show — what an incredible artist for the inaugural Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show."l