| In an effort to get youths actively involved, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Ministry of Education yesterday launched its Pilot School Programme at the St. Stanislaus College, Brickdam, Georgetown.The programme, being held under the theme ‘Stimulating Agriculture Production in Secondary Schools in Guyana,’ targets the various schools so that the correct information relating to agriculture can be disseminated to youths.During the launching, Chairman of the St. Stanislaus College, Chris Fernandes, said that the agricultural farm of the school has been in existence for over 25 years and has been totally self-sufficient.As a result of the farm, he said that the school has been able to generate funds to maintain the school premises.Chairman of the Pesticides Toxic and Chemical Control Board (PTCCB), Leslie Monroe, reiterated the proper and safe use of pesticides in Guyana.He noted that the Board is currently involved in activities as a means of managing the use of the chemicals in the country, and as such the pilot programme will be used to distribute the correct information on the use of pesticides in Guyana.Monroe explained that although pesticides are poisonous, people don’t really believe that it is since the effects are not immediately felt or seen.He noted that the Ministry has decided to target the schools because they found that children are accustomed to taking messages home to their parents, and with this there will be a more informed population about the proper use of pesticides.The pilot programme will be effective in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten and,Wholesale Jerseys, according to Monroe, the Agriculture Ministry intends to make it a national programme some time in the future.He also noted that with the ‘Grow More’ drive being pushed by the Ministry, there will be the tendency by farmers to use more pesticides.In this regard, he said that farmers must be on the alert about the proper use and effects of utilizing pesticides, since ‘wholesome’ food has to be produced, so as not to affect people’s lives.Expressing similar sentiments as Monroe was Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, who noted that it is important that the school system prepare the youths for the world of work in the agriculture field. He explained that it is important now that the pilot programme has started from the perspective of understanding the use of pesticides and its application.“And this is crucial because over the last several years we have reformed the management of the use of pesticides and toxic chemicals. We had to do that because when we export any agricultural produce from Guyana, we have to describe what chemicals were utilised.“And also because we are signatory to a number of international conventions and because we want our produce to be exported, there are certain guidelines we have to follow and there are certain chemicals that we are allowed to import and use,” Minister Persaud said.Because of the fact that Guyana cannot import or use certain chemicals, Persaud said that persons have been smuggling illegal chemicals in the country. He noted that this cannot be allowed to happen, because it can harm the country’s exports and more so, damage the people’s health.Minister Persaud also pointed to the food crisis being experienced across the world. He revealed that close to 900 million people are unsure if the next day they will be able to get a balanced or nutritional meal.“But in Guyana’s context, and we’re happy because we don’t feel that, we don’t experience that…we have stayed in agriculture. And when other countries right in the Caribbean Region were reducing their expenditure in agriculture, we were increasing ours,” Minister Persaud said.Minister within the Ministry of Education, Desrey Fox, in her address noted that over the past years, schools have not been zeroing in on Agriculture Science, for some reason or the other.She said that in recent times, due to the emphasis being placed on the issue by the government and the international crisis being experienced in terms of food production, which is pressuring the world, Guyana stands a very good chance with a small population and huge lands, and the traditional agricultural knowledge to be able to push forward as it relates to agricultural production.“It also gives us the opportunity to be able to make some money. So at this time, the ‘Grow More’ campaign has become very important in Guyana.” (Fareeza Haniff) |
