Latest update December 6th, 2024 4:51 AM
Jun 07, 2009 News
The Guyana Agricultural Producers’ Association (GAPA) yesterday held its regional conference at Lake Mainstay, Region Two, where farmers were urged to recognise the importance of the association and the benefits that can be derived.
GAPA is a non-governmental entity that has been in existence since 1974. It was recently resuscitated last year, to better serve and provide for the non-traditional agricultural farmers within Guyana, including the hinterland areas. GAPA is currently implementing a work programme that was recently drafted. Offices will be established in all ten regions of the country.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, urged the farmers to recognise the importance of having a national farmers’ organisation as he explained that the resuscitation of GAPA is not only timely but important if they, the farmers, are going to make the stride they want to in terms of Agricultural diversification.
As farmers, they need to develop structure and mechanism and interact with different agencies, he added.
According to Minister Persaud, there are scores of countries that do not have the luxury or advantage of being food secure. Guyana is the only country within CARICOM that has the capacity, and demonstrated the ability to feed itself.
“We have not been able to attain the pinnacle of our true agriculture potential. And the area that has the greatest scope for progress and for advancement are the other crops sector, and livestock.”
He pointed to the agricultural diversification and export programme, which has attracted some US$21.9 million and the rural enterprise and agricultural development project which has attracted US$6 million. These have been implemented to boost agriculture in Guyana and to move the other crops sector forward. “So without promising you too much and also being realistic, there are lots in store for you our farmers.” Persaud cautioned that the plans, programmes and initiatives being implemented by the Ministry, cannot succeed if the farmers do not demonstrate a level of commitment and consistency and willingness to help themselves to curb some of the constraints being experienced. It was explained that with its re-establishment, GAPA is poised to advance the non-traditional agricultural farming sector, including small scale producers, since this sector remained one of the pillars to ensure food security in the Caribbean.
This organization is expected to place specific emphasis on the areas of productivity, management, research, training and marketing information.
Dec 06, 2024
Kaieteur Sports- The East Bank Football Association Boys’ U14 League continued on Sunday, December 1st, 2024, with a highly anticipated clash between Timehri United FC and Herstelling Raiders FC....…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Within the next twenty years, the trade union movement in Guyana is going to disappear.... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- As gang violence spirals out of control in Haiti, the limitations of international... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]