APPROXIMATELY $7.7B has been injected into the Agriculture Sector for 2019, as the government takes critical steps at fostering an enabling environment for development. The $7.7B represents 45 per cent of the $17.1B allocated to the Agriculture Sector this year.
According to the Finance Ministry’s 2019 Mid-Year Report, in the first half of 2019, progress continued towards the expansion and diversification of the agricultural sector with particular focus on non-traditional agricultural produce and value-added production.

The report stated that the key interventions during the half year included an updated food safety and security legislation; improved infrastructure for non-traditional and traditional agricultural production; development of new value chains and value-added industries in agro-processing for rice, sugar, non-traditional crops and livestock; and, building human resource and institutional capacities in the areas earmarked for development across the sector.

Additionally, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been working with the private sector to address taxation and procedural issues that have been hindering the operations of agro-processors.

“The design of a new laboratory facility for the Guyana National Bureau of Standards will be completed in November, and, once constructed, will allow the Bureau to better support the certification of agro-processors, among others, to international standards,” the report stated.

It also noted that cooperation continued with the Islamic Development Bank to advance a reverse linkage programme for meat products which will see improved genetics being made available, as well as training in genetic management.
Further, initiatives to improve livestock breeds have resulted in more meat per animal, better quality meat, and bigger and heavier offspring.

In the review period, the artificial insemination process produced 561 offspring of cows (344) and pigs (217).
With respect to the new state-of the-art abattoir, slated for Onverwagt, design works are scheduled to commence during the second half of 2019.
As it relates to the dairy value chain, negotiations are currently on-going for the scope of a feasibility study that will examine how the quality and quantity of milk produced can be improved.

Further, the report underscored that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) continued to develop other livestock produce. As such, the production of the black giant poultry expanded in all regions, and this is expected to contribute significantly to food and nutrition security in coastal and hinterland communities.
In addition, it was stated that the genetically-driven improvements to duck farming aims to resuscitate and build resilience in the industry, after the devastation of a disease outbreak earlier this year.

Further, personnel of the GLDA were trained to strengthen the services offered to small ruminant producers, and the authority is also working closely with Brazilian investors in the Intermediate Savannah to increase the production of corn and soya beans for livestock feed production.

In was noted too the Food Safety Bill was passed in the National Assembly in April. The updated regulations for general food safety, abattoirs, meat, milk, poultry inspections and grading of eggs, fruits and vegetables are being drafted to pave the way for improved standards of agricultural products destined for local and international markets.
The Ministry of Agriculture has since commenced preparation for the establishment of the Food Safety Authority, which will have regulatory oversight.

Importantly, the 2019 midyear report stated that works on the national agricultural census, a critical activity to guide the sector, has commenced.
Currently, negotiations, to obtain the technical support required for the execution of the census, is on-going and preliminary works, including completion of the methodology design and questionnaire for the pilot survey, have begun.