Govt examining ways to stimulate Agri production amid COVID-19 – PM Nagamootoo
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 23, 2020
The Government will be examining ways to stimulate and sustain agricultural production whilst tackling the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who also serves as Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force
This was disclosed by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who also serves as Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF).
During a media briefing on Thursday, he explained that His Excellency President David Granger held consultations with officials from the Urban and Rural Agriculture department within the Ministry of Agriculture to examine what efforts can be made to stimulate the agricultural sector.
The NCTF Chairman pointed to the decline in food production internationally while noting that Guyana’s vast land space, fertile soil and clear air, means it is better poised to stimulate the Agri sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture through its various department continues to find ways to ensure a quality supply of food during this pandemic.
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has been conducting regular checks on their meat and local dairy products to ensure there are adequate supplies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspections continue at abattoirs across the country, and Similarly, in the dairy industry, the authority is ensuring that farmers have the necessary supplies and that they are evenly distributed.
The Agro-Packaging facilities are being made available for exporters once a request is made, General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) Ida Sealey-Adams confirmed in a recent interview with DPI.
Recently, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) announced that it will be assisting Caribbean countries including Guyana to bolster agriculture activity during this time.
These measures include direct dialogue with Ministers of Agriculture of all regions of the Americas to share useful information for decision making related to food security, and providing online training in good agricultural and health practices for rural workers.