Changing climate requires robust agriculture sector

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, June 19, 2018

The Office of Climate Change (OCC) is working with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN/FAO) to create a more resilient agriculture sector to face climate change.

Head of the OCC, Janelle Christian says the FAO has committed resources for a baseline study, which is being conducted by the University of Guyana (UG) in collaboration with a Latin-American Agency. “That work has already started and the FAO has committed US$200,000 to conduct those studies and that will lead to a full proposal for the agriculture sector.”

This initiative falls under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the OCC is awaiting formal confirmation of the funding. The agriculture sector is affected by climatic conditions such as droughts and flooding, particularly along the coast. In light of this, Christian says the OCC along with supporting agencies is placing much emphasis on the project.

In addition, the OCC is presently in talks with Conservation International’s (CI) Washington office for support with the government’s climate change commitments as articulated in the country’s National Determined Contribution to address sustainable forest management.

Through this collaboration with CI, the OCC head said an expert will be working with stakeholders in the forestry sector to prepare a concept note to address sustainable forest management. “We are also looking at our efforts with respect to mangrove protection and restoration.”

By: Stacy Carmichael.