Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterDENBIGH, Clarendon:
SATYADEOW SAWH, Guy-ana's Minster of Agriculture has warned that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) must "forge ahead" to develop new opportunities to save the region's agricultural sector.
"We either swim together to survive or we sink together as a people," he said.
The Guyanese Agriculture Minister was speaking at the 51st Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show in Clarendon, yesterday.
According to Mr. Sawh, since 1999 when Guyana achieved its highest ever rice production of 365 tonnes, the industry has been facing a series of "escalating problems" which are threatening its existence.
CONTRACTED ACCESS
He said that the contracted access to the European Market and high tariffs imposed on least developed countries exporting to Europe were part of the problem.
"The situation is expected to get even worse with the implementation of the EU Common Agricultural Programme reforms in 2005," he said.
The Guyanese Minister suggested that Jamaica and Guyana establish a co-operation to trade produce such as poultry, coffee and rice. He said his Government was willing to make available technical training and research facility to the Jamaican aqua-culture sector.
Keynote speaker, Prime Minster P.J. Patterson said, this year, $25 million had been committed towards the development of a sustainable marketing facility for local agricultural produce.
He also said there was a new tillage programme to benefit small farmers. Already six tractors have been obtained for the programme, which will be administered by the Jamaica Agricultural Development Authority (JAS).
The agri-industrial show ends today.
