| The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), through a collaborative approach with the Ministry of Agriculture, on Tuesday convened a ‘Cost of Production’ Workshop,Justin Upton Tigers Jersey, where technical officers and farmers were briefed on ways in which agriculture in Guyana can be sustained, through a cost effective approach.The workshop which was held in the Royal Pavilion Room of the Regency Suites on Hadfield Street,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, Georgetown, also saw a pilot project being launched on methodologies adopted thus far to ensure cost effectiveness.Agriculture Minister,Dr. Leslie RamsammyAgriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in delivering opening remarks alluded to the fact that farmers are also entrepreneurs and like any other business; cost of production plays a major role in ensuring success.He added that for Guyana to continue to be the bread basket of the Caribbean, access to markets and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices are necessary.Thus far, Dr. Ramsammy said that the Ministry of Agriculture has been playing a lead role in ensuring that the necessary systems are in place to assist farmers countrywide.“The time has come for us to recognize agriculture for what it is…it is also true that the cost of agricultural products have never been absolutely calculated or estimated and that is because there are certain costs that are routinely neglected,” he said.Minister Ramsammy reiterated the importance of developing a model for cost of production for any agriculture enterprise, making mention of the recent move by Government to have fertilizer made available to farmers at a subsidized rate,Authentic Jerseys Cheap, forcing the price for the commodity to be significantly reduced. According to the Agriculture Minister, similar moves are also expected in the aquaculture industry as the Ministry is in the process of acquiring fish food at a reduced cost.“Small or large,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, our farmers today that produce for the commercial market are entrepreneurs…once we accept that farming is part of the entrepreneurship in any country then we must also accept that the cost factor is a critical component of the agriculture business.”“Whether we are rice farmers, sugar cane farmer, cash crop farmers, or an aquaculture practitioner- whatever we do we must be clear on the cost of production because we are doing this as a business to generate a profit,” the Minister reminded.Meanwhile, IICA’s representative to Guyana, Mr. Wilmot Garnett underscored the importance of such a workshop in providing guidance for producers and processors for crop improvement.He added that any successful agriculture enterprise strives on innovation and as such the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, especially through organized groups is essential.“The incorporation of appropriate technologies, rules and responsibilities of farm operation,China Jerseys Cheap, and the quality of output is also important,” Garnett said.The IICA representative also made a call for farmers to be proactive by effectively analyzing the market so as to produce for those that are readily available,Jim Thome Indians Jersey, rather than what is in abundance.The Workshop also saw farmers and technical officers being exposed to the benefits of the new Cost of Production model-”One Crop and One Livestock”, data requirements, stimulating proposed policy impacts as well as recommendations on the way forward. |
