Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 05, 2015 Editorial
If Guyana is to be taken seriously as a developing country, then emphasis must be placed on agriculture, which is the backbone of the economy from time immemorial. But the problem for the government is to get and keep the younger generation interested in agriculture. This is a genuine concern given the drift from the farming community by our youth. For decades agriculture in Guyana has been synonymous with the once dominant sugar and rice industries, even though there have been other cash crops and widespread diversification of the economy over the years.
The downturn of sugar has been most devastating to the economy mainly because the industry is the second largest employer in the country after the government. The effort to move away from the sugar industry to light manufacturing, tourism and other services to provide a greater variety of jobs and earn foreign exchange has not materialized. At the same time, the rice industry could be in crisis if Venezuela carries out its threat not to purchase the current 34 percent of Guyana rice later this year.
In spite of these setbacks, agriculture, especially the rice industry, remains far from obsolete, as it is that area in which the nation can look forward to not only meeting the local needs but satisfying foreign currency deficiencies. There are still strong links between farming and most other sectors and they range from grocery stores to restaurants, food processors and to small businesses, all of which are intertwined with agriculture.
However, the problem has been government’s inability to remove the stigma and myths associated with farming, whether it is livestock rearing or food crop production. Some people still do not see agriculture as a business; others cling to long gone days when workers toiled for few returns in the fields. Gone are the days when the only goal for many in agriculture was to be hewers of wood and drawers of water.
It is in the interest of the new administration to make sure that the country transition to a new generation of farmers if agriculture is not only to survive but more importantly to grow. For this to happen, farming must be seen and given the respect of any other profession. Training of farmers must be expanded and improved and the courses offered must be promoted as having the same prestige as those in humanities, law and other professions.
The government must provide affordable loans especially for those starting their careers in agriculture; those interested in getting involved must have access to land at affordable prices.
Initiatives such as guaranteed apprenticeships on completion of studies, fair compensation and affordable health care should be offered to young farmers.
One of the best ways to ensure that agriculture is retained and becomes viable is to appreciate the way it touches the lives of all the citizens, both in the urban centres and the rural areas. It offers good prospects; from better health to increasing personal wealth. There is undoubtedly a good future in the food and agriculture sector for youth.
Until the sugar situation can be fully sorted out, and new and profitable markets are sought for rice should Venezuela carry out its threat, there is a considerable way to go before major growth and expansion take place to make the agriculture industry sustainable and become the foreign currency earner it once was. The size of agriculture today is not the same as it was ten years ago which means that it has to recover lost ground, and there is much work to do
We hope that the government clearly understands the choices which have to be made to bolster the sector. And there is little doubt that there will be support because, in the final analysis, everyone’s goal is for a better and prosperous Guyana.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
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