| – Improved food security and trade relations at centre of observance With the objective of generating wealth by linking regional food security to trade development via agriculture, the annual Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) will be hosted for the second time in Guyana, from October 4-12.Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, told reporters recently that CWA is a significant event on the Regional calendar.“Guyana is proud to be hosting the twelfth Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA). The eleventh was held in Antigua and Barbuda. In 2003, Guyana hosted the CWA, so this marks the second time that we are privileged to host the event.”Minister Ramsammy explained that the activity brings together regional stakeholders for a week of activities to promote agriculture via policy, dialoguing, learning sessions, and an exhibition showcasing the products of the sector.Of great significance, Ramsammy says, is a Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting, which will be held during CWA. This meeting will include Ministers of Agriculture from across the Region. “There will be various ministerial meetings like the ministerial meetings for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) which will be held at CARICOM headquarters…. ““We are hoping to sign a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding for agriculture, including an agreement with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) … Earlier this year, the European Union and IICA received a grant of $11 million Euros to implement a capacity strengthening programme in the Caribbean Region, in relation to sanitary and unsanitary standards. Guyana is one of the countries in which the project will be implemented.”Dr Ramsammy said that various workshops, seminars and sessions will be held during the nine -day event.“There will also be a number of field events and inviting the technical personnel Ministers and guests to join the at various field sites.”Among the places to be visited are: GuySuCo’s Enmore Estate and Packaging Facility, the Hope/Dochfour Canal, the Burma Research Centre, Guyana School of Agriculture, Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Centre, Guyana Livestock Development Authority, National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute and Mangrove Tour, Hydromet’s Doppler Radar Tower and the Santa Fe Farm. The visit to the Guyana School of Agriculture will be of special significance during CWA as the entity celebrates its 50th anniversary.The discussions to be held during the CWA observance, will focus on; Monitoring and Managing Pest Populations Under a Changing Climate, Development of the Coconut Industry in the Caribbean,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, Implementation and Mainstreaming of Regional Fisheries Policies, as well as the Cost of Production, and Livestock.The workshops will be sponsored in part by members of the CWA committee, which comprises representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, CARICOM, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and IICA. Senior Analyst Natasha Beerjit of the Guyana Marketing Cooperation will coordinate the plans and implementations for CWA.The event which also coincides with this year’s Agriculture Month observance will feature a three-day agricultural exhibition which will see the participation of groups from the Caribbean and Canada.The official opening of the CWA will take place on Wednesday , October 9, 2013 at the International Convention Centre, LiliendaalRegional Ministers of Agriculture as well as technical personnel from various agricultural organizations will attend the opening ceremony.The theme for CWA 2013 is “Linking the Caribbean for Regional Food and Nutrition Security and Rural Development.” |
