An estimated 60,000 Guyanese suffer from undernourishment,’ says FAO’s rep

Oct 19, 2018 News

“Images of the exhibition at Mainstay on the Essequibo Coast.”

“In 2017 it was realized that hunger was rising in the world again to the extent where one in every nine persons, is suffering from some sort of undernourishment…
“ In Guyana, however, we have been able to reduce undernourishment from over 21% of the total population to less than 10% by 2015,” said Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO] representative in Guyana, Mr. Reuben Robertson. Robertson was at the time delivering the feature address on World Food Day, which was hosted in the Mainstay Wayaka Village on the Essequibo Coast for the first time, on Wednesday.
The activity which was observed under the theme “Working for zero hunger,” was also attended by Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder; Region Two Chairman, Devenand Ramdatt, and other officials from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Complementing the event on Wednesday were some 50 booths, which displayed a number of products from Guyana’s Agriculture sector.
During his feature address, Robertson noted that unlike many other countries in the Caribbean, Guyana is a net producer, producing enough to feed its citizens.
He said that while Guyana produces enough food, there are still persons who are stricken by poverty and who have little access to the food produced.
“Worldwide one in every nine person is suffering from some form of chronic malnourishment. In the Caribbean there are over seven million in this category. In Guyana over 21% of the population fell into this category.
“By 2015 however there was a reduction to about less than 10% now. There are still too many people in Guyana, some 50,000 to 60,000 persons who are suffering from this plight of undernourishment.”
Robertson noted that since world hunger is on the rise, revenues from Guyana’s oil and gas sector can be used to transform its agriculture and fisheries sectors. This according to him will create decent rural employment; illuminating Poverty and securing food and nutrition security for all Guyanese.
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, said that by 2050 Guyana’s Agriculture sector will need to produce 50% more food than it did in 2012. The Ministry of Agriculture has been working to ensure that there is an increase of investments, to enhance the country’s agricultural capacity, he said.
Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization indicate that in the world there are poor people in rural areas, who depend heavily on agriculture for food. The Pomeroon/Supenaam Region with a population of some 50,000, continues to stand on Agriculture as one of its main economic pillars.
As Regional Chairman, Devenand Ramdatt, pointed out, the region is heavily dependent on it fish, coconut and rice industries, most of which he says are failing.
In highlighting some of the Government’s intentions for sustainable development in Region Two’s agriculture sector, the Minster added, “We are focusing on sustainable and diversified agriculture…In Region Two we are gradually improving the Drainage and Irrigation system.
“Recently there has been an upsurge in the demand for coconuts and its byproducts.” In an effort to combat chronic and seasonal flooding in the Pomeroon, Minister Holder said that the long overdue silted Pomeroon River mouth will soon be desilted. [Romario Blair]