Non-traditional agricultural exports up
Guyana Chronicle
January 7, 2007
EXPORTS of non-traditional agricultural produce and products for last year rose over 2005 with exports in 2006 for the period January to November reaching 4,337 tonnes compared to 4,272 tonnes for the same period in 2005, Agriculture Minister, Mr. Robert Persaud has reported.
According to him, the value of the exports for last year was $1.2 billion or US$6M.
Persaud, at a news conference Friday, said that in accordance with the National Development Strategy (NDS) and the National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS) regarding the need for diversification of agriculture, his ministry has intensified efforts which focus on the production and marketing of non-traditional commodities.
With respect to the export of beef and chicken, he said prospects are high as already Guyana is exporting beef to two CARICOM states while interest is being shown by others.
On this score, he noted that Guyana is among countries that have been certified foot and mouth disease (FMD) free and currently the focus is on FMD surveillance in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), a large beef producing region, with emphasis on upgrading camps and construction of drive-through dips for vehicle crossings. This programme is being executed with help from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
A beef export seminar was also held recently followed by a training programme for farmers identified in the beef and dairy industries as potential exporters, Persaud said.
With respect to the latter, the minister pointed out that during last year 1,980 cows had artificial insemination (A.I) and 709 calves produced through A.I were tagged.
In addition, 667 milk quality tests were conducted and 101 training and extension activities carried out, and a National Cattle Farmers Congress was held, Persaud reported.
He added that it is likely that chicken will soon be exported to Trinidad and Tobago as efforts in this direction are being intensified.
In this regard, he said also that officials from Trinidad and Tobago are expected in Guyana in another two weeks to ascertain that the local poultry industry has met the required sanitary and health standards to give the green light to Trinidadian authorities for importing chicken.
The minister also recalled that as part of the programme of preparing the local poultry industry, a poultry diagnostic laboratory was recently commissioned by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
As regards the aviation influenza (bird flu) threat, education seminars were held in all regions and a draft aviation influenza manual has been prepared for distribution to poultry farmers, Persaud said.
Touching on the stunted growth problem in broilers which surfaced in April last year, he noted that the ministry launched a $5M response programme which involved countrywide vaccination, distribution of vitamins, an assessment by a regional poultry specialists and developing standards for poultry feed production. (CHAMANLALL NAIPAUL)