Transformation through agriculture – Amerindian communities gaining headway

A GINA feature -- Source - GINA

Agriculture is not a relatively new concept to Guyana’s first inhabitants, the Amerindians because for generations it has been the backbone of their livelihoods, but transforming the practice from subsistence occupation to wealth creation is revolutionary to the majority of communities.

As custodians of the country’s forest they should by now be setting the example over other groups in society who are today profiteering from value-added agriculture. With encouragement from the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Agriculture, the gap is likely to be bridged.

Fresh pineapples being weighed at Mainstay Whyaka,

Region Two

The ministry’s plan will see the indigenous people benefitting from a mechanism where the nation’s agriculture will be generating wealth for the people.

At the end of August, the focus for Region One was outlined with similar arrangements being coordinated in Region Nine.

Entrepreneurship and enterprise are the key pillars on which the plan is being crafted and according to Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy who ventured into Region One with a team of experts recently, “Farmers are not peasants but business people.”

Pineapples being loaded for exports from Mainstay Whyaka, Essequibo Region Two

Value-added agriculture is indeed a tangible solution as a community like Mainstay Whyaka on the Essequibo coast has proven with the production, processing and exportation of organic pineapple to Europe.

“Mainstay Whyaka is on the world map through agriculture … just 13-square miles of land and we are doing this,” newly elected Toshao of the village Joel Fredericks told the National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting this year.

The announcement was met with applause from the 120 village leaders gathered for meeting and was probably an eye opener to those that are much larger and are brainstorming ways of expansion.

Minister of Agriculture Leslie Ramsammy visiting the Hosororo Agricultural Station to inspect the growth of avocado. seedlings

The Amerindians still attach great significant to agriculture as an analysis of the Community Development Project (CDP) proposals agreed and submitted at the village level has shown.

Eighty (80) percent of the projects are agriculture-based and with the way paved for the release of the long awaited Guyana REDD Investment Fund (GRIF) the waiting time for implementation is no longer a concern.

Investment and progress

The Ministry of Agriculture’s plan builds on several initiatives implemented by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry like the Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme that was launched three years ago to empower farmers to develop business training, marketing support, technical training and farmers’ skill and familiarise them with market realities.

That programme launched through a partnership initiative of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) is deeply rooted in 15 communities across Regions One.

Similar programmes are ongoing in Regions Seven and Nine with the overall objective of creating employment opportunities; sustaining food security; income generation, wealth, economic diversification and secure livelihoods.

The training of community based volunteers to corroborate the work of the VSOs in the fields of Agriculture, Aquaculture, Pest Management, Food Technology, Business Development, Marketing and Finance and Organizational Development facilitated the programme.

Value adding enterprise in pineapple, orange and passion fruit, ginger and cassava, crabwood oil and aquaculture were identified.

A field of young spice plants for the production of the internationally used cinnamon spice, easily grown in Guyana.

Innovations

Three years ago the Government had explored the possibility of opening the Morawhanna facility to cater for direct exports to Venezuela, while Wauna farmers were advised on strategies to find markets for peanut farmers.

The deployment of officers to the regions for agricultural extension services supplemented the effort and training was offered for residents of the regions to become extension officers.

The undertaking was being advanced even as the government realised the need to improve the living conditions of Amerindians through improved access to health, education and transport.

Moco Moco in Region Nine is earmarked for a large-scale Agriculture and Tourism with a farine factory built with support from the German Bank kfw and a bright outlook for job creation in the area for about 400 residents, many of whom are single parents.

It is a project residents are anxiously awaiting especially when considering the benefits that will accrue from supplying the market for farine to Moco Moco and other parts of the region.

The community is already benefitting from a rice and beans project which was launched in 2009 to facilitate the harvesting and selling of rice to residents within the area at a cost of $2500 and $4000 elsewhere. The project is now in its third phase.

Residents have seen and given testimony to the benefits of the $128.6M project and are optimistic that it has potential to be developed on a large scale basis, given the abundance of land and availability of machinery.

Black pepper vine growing and fruiting, Region One

Support

They have also attested to the worthwhile support offered by the Ministry of Agriculture in the eradication of acoushi ant, planting and farming materials as well as breeding animals.

Communities that have conceded to diversify from the traditional crops, are now cultivating spices such as black pepper, turmeric, nutmeg and ginger. The agriculture ministry has also been placing significant emphasis on aquaculture.

Through the ministry’s extension service several persons from the hinterland have benefitted from apiculture training in hive construction and capturing of wild bees for the purpose of rearing.

Under the extension services the ministry has also been providing veterinary services to the residents.