THE National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and Fijian Agriculture and Forestry University of China yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paving the way for close collaboration in science and technology for agricultural and other programmes.
The signing ceremony, in the office of Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, took place after he and NARI Director Dr Oudho Homenauth held talks with a visiting Chinese delegation.
Homenauth said the agreement would strengthen technical cooperation between the two institutions and, while a number of other areas have been identified, priority will be given to mushroom cultivation and 'dry land' rice cultivation.
He said the ongoing mushroom project is now at the stage where a tender will be put out in another two weeks for the construction of a facility.
Homenauth said, once the building is in place, experts from China will work along with local counterparts there, for varying periods of not less than a year, to help in the production and, subsequently, others would come for the processing and post harvest aspects.
The dry land rice cultivation has been developed in China over many years and the particular variety, which lowers production costs, is adaptable for the Rupununi savannahs, he stated.
According to Homenauth, the art was mastered by Chinese advanced technology and a new type of hybrid grain will be introduced here.
Minister Sawh lauded the bilateral ties between the two nations.
"We recognise China as a country that has been ahead by leaps and bounds, in terms of technology and we want to deepen South/South cooperation," he asserted.
Collaboration in research will cover crop production, plant protection, horticulture, forestry, biology, bio-technology, 'Juncao' mushroom cultivation, natural resources and environment, food and animal sciences, economy and management.
The MOU would also keep both parties informed about the latest scientific research data and allow them to exchange academic journals as they work together on some scientific projects and make efforts to facilitate correspondent funding.
Exchange visits by scholars, research and teaching staff of the two institutes, for short terms, are planned.
The Chinese will send students and trainees to NARI and Fijian is to accommodate counterparts as required by NARI.
Academic papers will be exchanged to create opportunities for researchers from both countries to publish their theses in each other's publications, according to the documentation to which Homenauth and Chairman of the Administrative Board of Fujian, Professor Wang Yusheng affixed their signatures.
Yusheng declared he is deeply impressed by Guyana and said the main features standing out are that:
* Guyana enjoys profound natural resources;
* Guyana has a good ecological environment;
* Guyanese people are warm and friendly and
* This country has great potential for economic development.
Chinese Ambassador Mr Song Tao agreed Guyana has rich natural resources and there is great potential for agricultural products development.
He said both countries can benefit from the cooperation that will also promote stronger relations between their peoples.
Meanwhile, members of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom (UK), headed by Ms Pauline Wade, paid a courtesy call on Minister Sawh yesterday, as well.
During their meeting, the Minister updated the British visitors on developments within the local agriculture sector and explored possibilities of new joint initiatives.
The UK delegation met too, with members of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and interacted with others in the Private Sector on potential opportunities for trade and investment.
Some of the visiting business group will host a one-day seminar at NARI today, on developing the livestock industry.